In truth this was meaningless as a contest, so dominant were the home side and served only as a training run out for the Harlequin academy youngsters, many playing alongside members of the senior squad for the first time.  The forwards won every scrum, irrespective of whose put in.  Rolling mauls went 30 metres at a run and knock-ons, because of that superiority, did not really turn over possession. 

From the first scrum, Chris Hala’ufia broke many metres into Gloucester territory only to see an unforced error turn over possession after he had off loaded.  Then at an early lineout, Spanghero caught and set off on a solo run towards the Gloucester line, but was stopped short.  It took only eight minutes for the first score as another fine attack involving forwards and backs led by a break from Masson.  Although he got across the line, he was held up.  The scrum which followed saw the forwards push their opponents back easily for will Skinner to touch down for the first try.  Jewell converted.

Another fine break from Hala’ufia was stopped just a couple of metres short of the try-line. The ball was recycled and moved rapidly left for what seemed a certain try but the final pass was forward. Then a lineout in the visitor’s twenty- two led to the second try as the forwards drove over for Will Skinner to Score again.   The conversions went wide but after fifteen minutes play, with the score at 12 – 0 it was obvious that this was no contest.  It was only a question of how many points would Quins score.

Gloucester defended strongly and Quins were guilty of elaboration when simple, direct attack would more likely have brought results.  A good attack with quick, accurate passing brought the next score as the diminutive figure of Ryan Manyika, unmissable in his gleaming white scrum-cap, threaded his way irresistibly through the Gloucester defence to score under the posts.  Jewell again added the points. 19 – 0 after thirty minutes.

A good run on the wing from Stegmann was stopped just short of the line and the attack was again ended by a knock-on. But Quins were not to be denied. With the ball coming from yet another successful scrum, a neat reverse pass from Manyika set Tosh Masson off on a thirty-metre run to score under the posts.  Jewell again converted.  Quins had gained their first try bonus.  At half-time they led 26 – 0.

It took only four minutes of the second half for Quins to score again. The forwards set up a rolling maul and when the ball was released to the backs it was Seb Jewell who juggled, jinked and crossed for the try.  This time his conversion attempt hit the post and bounced away.  For about another quarter of an hour Gloucester, aided by some unnecessary over-elaboration by Quins, held the attacks at bay.  But as the match moved into the last quarter, the floodgates began to open.

Another rolling maul began to cause havoc in the defence and when the ball came away and was moved along the backs, Seb Jewell ran through to score and this time successfully added the conversion.  The score was now 38 – 0.

Five minutes later it had increased to 45 – 0.  From a quickly taken penalty Jewell almost put Masson in for a try.  The centre was held up but from the ensuing five-metre scrum the ball came out to Manyika whose quick pass allowed Masson to score again. Jewell converted. 

Two more tries were to come.  Chris Brooker, having thrown in to the lineout came on an arcing run to receive the ball and crash through the defence for a good try.  Then Phil Davies, from the base of the scrum, broke clear and crossed for the final try. Both were converted by Jewell leaving the final score at 59 – 0.

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