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Quins Match report...TMO listening to music...


By Crazy Harry
April 11 2016

As I walked to the ground I saw the rain clouds gather and wondered if my front row seat in the north stand was a good idea.  I relaxed when I sat down to see clear sky above, but in the knowledge I might get hypothermia instead.  Quins had put out a strong side packed with internationals and I dreaded a repeat of our last match here.  

Early pressure brought a penalty at the scrum to Quins and they put pressure on our line after a good run from Jamie Roberts, the first of many.  Eventually Luke Wallace crossed the line but Botica could not convert.

Irish fought back and on 10 minutes Quins knocked on at their 10 yard line.  Irish forced the penalty at the scrummage and Shane converted to close the gap to 6-3.  On 15 minutes Yarde missed the high ball and Care cleaned up and ran the ball out of the 22.  Quins then got a penalty for a high tackle and kicked for touch even though the three points were there for the taking.  Irish got possession and Shane cleared from his 22, only for Irish to concede another penalty for obstruction.  

On 20 minutes Quins crossed the line only for the try to be disallowed due to obstruction.    Irish cleared for the half-way line.  However Care intercepted from an irish attack, from the line out, and ran to score the try.  Botica converted to put Quins further ahead at 12-3.  

Irish fought back and on 23 minutes got a penaltyShane kicked the points to reduce gap to 12-6.  Quins immediately came back and forced a penalty for offside which Botica kicked to restore the gap to 15-6.  Irish fought back to continue the pattern of points exchanged.  Irish stole the re-start and put a low grubber kick behind the Quins’ defence.  It was a refreshing change from a high ball straight to Mike Brown.  Roberts then spilled the ball and out of the ensuing melee Irish scored.  Mulchrone grounded the ball and Shane did the honours to catch up to 15-13.

LI conceded a further penalty but Quins could not convert.  Shane and Bottica exchange clearance kicks.  Quins conceded for diving to ground and Shane put Irish in the lead by 15-16.  Once again unfortunately the penalty exchange continued and LI was offside and Botica regained the lead for Quins 18-16.

Half time 18-16

Irish got an early penalty on 42 minutes and shane kicked to 22 to continue the attack approach.  This has been the LI style and it was working,  Irish got another penalty for pulling down the rolling maul and drove over for a try score by McKibbin and Shane converted for a 16-23 lead.  

Shortly after a dangerous tackle by David Paice spoiled it.  He received a yellow card which could easily have been a red.  McCusker was taken off and Cruse came on for a scrummage.  

Then the highlight for the Irish team.  Maitland picked up the ball from the scrum at halfway and accelerated through the Quins defence, to score a sensational try.  It was a stunning piece of play and the Quins supporters either side of me looked on in disbelief. Shane added the extras to increase the lead 18-30.  What a score !!! Could we hold on ?

On 52 minutes Care scored a try but the referee once more referred the decision to the TMO, who seemed to take his time.  I wondered if he had slippers on and was listening to Bach, while everyone else got colder.  Eventually the try was given and our teeth could stop chattering.  The try was not converted and the score remained 23-30.

Four minutes later we were treated to a re-run.  I wish we were having a warm Spring.  

Robshaw scored a try, which seemed to me perfectly valid.  However we had another long wait - maybe TMO was listening to Mozart this time.  Could the citing commissioner intervene ? The try was ruled out.

The Quins pressure intensified as Care and Roberts exerted their influence.  Irish put a huge defensive effort which showed bravery and commitment to the cause.  Eventually Luke Wallace went over for his second try.  Botica missed the conversion and the score remained 28-30.  

The pressure let up temporarily as Irish got a penalty on 65 mins at the scrum and Shane kicked for touch.  Unfortunately Irish pulled down the maul on 71 mins and Botica converted to put Quins back in the lead 31-30.

Care completed his hat-trick on 74 minutes and Botica converted to increase the lead 38-30.   Irish gained another penalty on 78 minutes after Quins came in from the side but no score could be gained from the line-out.  The game finished for a Quins victory 38-30.  If Irish can continue this level of try scoring and reduce the penalties, victory at Newcastle is more than possible.

Harlequins Team 

15 Mike Brown, 14 Marland Yarde, 13 George Lowe, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 Tim Visser, 10 Ben Botica, 9 Danny Care,1 Mark Lambert,2 Joe Gray, 3 Adam Jones, 4 George Merrick, 5 Sam Twomey, 6 Chris Robshaw, 7 Luke Wallace, 8 Jack Clifford.

Replacements: 

16 Dave Ward,17 Owen Evans, 18 Kyle Sinckler, 19 Charlie Matthews, 20 Mat Luamanu, 21 Karl Dickson, 22 Joe Marchant, 23 Ross Chisholm.

London Irish

15 Andrew Fenby, 14 Sean Maitland, 13 Fergus Mulchrone, 12 Theo Brophy Clews, 11 Tom Fowlie, 10 Shane Geraghty, 9 Brendan McKibbin, 1 Tom Smallbone, 2 David Paice, 3 Leo Halavatau, 4 Will Lloyd, 5 Jebb Sinclair 6 Tom Guest, 7 Joe Trayfoot, 8 Rob McCusker.

Replacements:

16 Tom Cruse, 17 Tom Court, 18 Richard Palframan, 19 Ollie Curry, 20 David Sisi, 21 Gerard Ellis, 22 Darren Allinson, 23 Scott Steele.  

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Quins Match report...TMO listening to music...
Discussion started by The Craic www.londonirish.org , 11/04/2016 14:09
The Craic www.londonirish.org
11/04/2016 14:09
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