In the end Harlequins were victorious by dint of an injury-time penalty kick scored by Mike Brown to provide Quins with a deserved win by a single point, the final score being 22 – 21.

The determination and intention of Harlequins was plain from their first touch of the ball.  The ball was moved swiftly and with purpose and a long kick from Brown pushed play into the visitors’ half where poor Samoan passing provided Quins with an attacking lineout.  A knock-on brought the first scrum and after a couple of tackles the ball ran loose.  Hal Luscombe deftly kicked on twice, gathered safely and scored in the left corner after only two minutes.  Seb Jewell was faced with a difficult kick from the left touchline, but struck cleanly and saw the ball sail neatly between the posts for a 7 – 0 lead.

From the restart Quins conceded a penalty for not releasing the ball at the tackle.  Samoa opted to kick for touch but Quins turned over the ball in the ruck that followed the lineout and a penalty allowed a good clearance.  Monye, in a startling pair of red shoes, they could not be called boots, made a good break and showed his strength as he continue to make ground with large islanders hanging on to him.  He retained possession, however, and the ball came to Seb Jewell.  The fly-half threw a fine miss pass and almost set Keogh away for a second try but a penalty to Samoa for offside relieved the danger.

Then a concerted attack was started by the fly-half and with the ball moving quickly to Luscombe and Masson in the centre Quins made ground with forwards in close support and Tom Guest went over in the corner for Quins’ second try.  Another difficult conversion from the left touchline again sailed cleanly through the posts and after only 11 minutes Quins led by 14 – 0.  At the same time, the injured list increased by the addition of Simon Keogh, with a medial ligament injury, which saw him later on crutches.  Tom Williams replaced him.  

Harlequins continued to play with pace and determination, tackling hard and arriving quickly to the breakdown.  A penalty 30 metres out and slightly left of the posts gave Jewell another opportunity to add to the score but the attempt failed as the ball hit the right hand post and rebounded into play.  Samoa were now moving the ball through the hands quickly and beginning to threaten to penetrate the Quins’ defence.  A superb tackle by Tom Guest on the winger, Faatu, crunched the latter into touch and saved a certain score.  The visitors were now beginning to gel as a team, but the Quins defensive tackling was quick and solid.

It was inevitable that the Samoans would break through as they made attempt after attempt to break through the stout defence by Quins. It took until the 34th minute before they finally put the always dangerous Alesana Tuilagi through to score under the posts.  Gavin Williams converted and the score became 14 – 7.  

Quins increased their own pressure and a fine break by Danny Care almost put Ugo Monye away but the latter’s kick through broke left and into touch just short of the try line.  Half-time arrived with no further additions to the score.

For the second half, Phil Davis replaced George Robson and an injury to Hal Luscombe brought on Charlie Amesbury.  A few minutes into the half Nebbett replaced Ceri Jones.

The Samoans continued to throw themselves at the Quins defenders in vain attempts to crash through the defence.  Another fine tackle on Tuilagi by Tom Williams prevented a certain score and shortly after, a good interception by him and offload to Masson almost put the centre away.  

It was Samoa, however, who scored next.  A slightly careless pass by Care went over Jewell’s head allowing the ball to run loose in space.  The Samoan backs needed no second invitation as they gathered the ball and they were away to score under the posts.  The conversion levelled the scores at 14 –14 after fifteen minutes of the second half.

Samoa began to impose themselves and the game moved from midfield to more attacking positions in Quins’ twenty-two.  A crunching tackle took Seb Jewell out and saw him replaced by Ryan Mayika, a fly-half of diminutive stature in his first year at the Academy, who looked even smaller by contrast with the large Samoan forwards.  Despite looking a little unsure, he showed some deft touches.

Samoan pressure saw them almost cross the Quins’ line but the ”score” was not allowed as a penalty was awarded for offside only 5 metres out.  The tapped penalty was moved quickly right for Census Johnston to crash over through a gap and give the visitors the lead.  Gavin Williams added the conversion and the score was now 14 – 21. The game moved into its last quarter.

Quins hit back quickly.  Within five minutes, their pressure brought a penalty for a high tackle and a good touch produced an attacking lineout from which the forwards contrived a rolling maul.  Samoa were again penalised, this time for offside, only some eight metres out and lineout and maul were repeated and this time James Brooks was driven over for the Quins’ third try.  Mike Brown had taken over kicking duties and his kick from the touchline just slid to the right of the posts.  At 19 –21 Quins were back on terms with fifteen minutes remaining.

Both sides strove for the decisive score and with time running out, Quins contrived to exert enough pressure to earn a penalty some17 metres from the posts.  Mike Brown had the task of taking the kick to win the match and did so successfully to make the final score 22 – 21.

Afterwards Michael Jones, the Samoa coach, was clearly disappointed to lose.  “We have been training hard this week” he said, “ Guys were a bit off their game.  A win would have been better, but we can take a lot from it.”  Asked about their prospects for the World Cup, he said “We have a lot of faith in this team.”

Andy Friend, Quins Head Coach, was clearly pleased.  Particularly, he was happy with the commitment shown by the team and their execution of patterns on which they had been working.  It was a good start.

TEAMS:
Harlequins:
15. Mike Brown, 14. Simon Keogh (Tom Williams 10), 13. Hal Luscombe (Charlie Amesbury 40) 12. Tosh Masson, 11. Ugo Monye, 10. Seb Jewell (Ryan Manyika 60), 9. Danny Care; 1. Ceri Jones (Ricky Nebett 47) 2. Chris Brooker, 3. John Brooks,  4. Ollie Kohn ( Nicolas Spanghero 59) 5. Jim Evans (Capt.) 6. George Robson (Phil Davies 40) 7. Chris Robshaw, 8. Tom Guest.
Replacements: 16. Aston Croall, 17, Ricky Nebett,  18. James Percival,  19. Nicolas Spanghero, 20 Phil Davies, 21. Ryan Manyika, 22 Charlie Amesbury. 23 Tom Williams.

Manu Samoa
15. David Lemi, 14. Lome Faatu, 13. Gavin William, 12. Elvis Sevialli, 11. Alesana Tuilagi, 10 Eliota Fuimaono Saplou, 9. Junior Polu. 1. Justin Va’a, 2. Siloa Vaisola Sefo, 3. Census Johnston, 4.Daniel Leo, 5 Filipo Levi, 6. Justin Purdie, 7 Ulia Ulia,
8. Semo Sititi (Capt.)
Replacements: 16. Muliufi Salanoa, 17. Donald Kerslake, 18. Iosefa Tekori, 19. Leo Lafaialii, 20 Lolo Lui, 21. Jerry Meafou, 22. Seilala Mapusua

Referee: Rob Debney (RFU)

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