Wasps had put out a strong side to defend an unbeaten run of 19 games in the A League and seeking some elusive silverware to compensate for the ejection from both the Heineken and EDF Energy Cups.  Quins had a strong and experienced pack and from the start they began to exert pressure on the Wasps defence.  Only five minutes into the game a penalty at a scrum some 35 metres from the posts gave Malone the chance, which he took, to open the scoring.

It took only a few minutes for Wasps to level the score.  Quins knocked on at the restart and from the scrum conceded a penalty.  Wasps opted to kick for the corner and seek to drive from the lineout.  The drive was well stopped but Quins conceded another penalty and another lineout was duly followed by another maul that did not roll. The ball was moved towards the centre but again Quins were penalised for coming in at the side of the ruck.  Staunton duly levelled the scores.

The next opportunity fell to Quins, when from a penalty at a scrum, as they took the option to kick for the corner and set up a catch and drive from the lineout.  There was great pressure from the forwards for several minutes and although over the line the ball was held up.  An attacking scrum allowed then to increase the pressure and this time Brooks appeared to cross the line but was again held up.  Eventually a knock on gave Wasps the scrum and a free kick for an offence at the set piece allowed them to push Quins back to their own half.

Wasps now tried to attack but an interception and turn over of possession saw the ball come to Steve So’oialo and the scrum half could not be caught over the 70 metres run which saw him score under the posts.  Malone added the simple conversion and after 20 minutes Quins led 10 – 3. 

Play remained in midfield for some time before Quins’ backs mounted another attack and although they failed to penetrate the defence a penalty for offside in front of the posts gave Malone a 30 metre kick to increase the lead.  When, a few minutes later, Wasps had a kickable penalty they again opted for the corner touch but a knock on at the lineout frustrated their attack.  

Then a speculative cross-field kick for touch by Malone found Voyce with Van Gisbergen in space and the Quins defence away from home and the winger’s pass put the full-back into the corner for the try.  The conversion was missed.  As half time approached a penalty gave Malone an opportunity to add to the score, but his kick from the junction of the touchline and halfway line fell short as the whistle blew for the interval. 

The second half saw Andy Gomarsall on at scrum half replace Manyika with Charlie Amesbury going to full back and So’oialo to the wing.  Wasps tried to start the half in attacking mode but a turn over and kick through by George Lowe saw the centre gather the ball and start towards the try line until the defenders caught him and coming from behind him turned over possession. Quins continued to press and two penalties in the first quarter hour allowed Malone to increase the score to 19 – 8 . 

But as Wasps tried to come again, Quins were penalised for coming in at the side of a ruck and Staunton reduced the arrears to 19 – 11.  Quins response was almost immediate and a fine run by Stegmann and a good offload in the tackle almost led to a score.  The ball was moved quickly left where there appeared to be an overlap, but a poor pass allowed the defensive cover to prevent the try.  Quins retained possession and the ball was worked back to the centre where forward pressure told and Gary Botha went over for the try that Malone converted. 

With a lead of 26-11 the game appeared to winding down safely towards a win for Quins.  Wasps had other ideas and as Quins were attacking in the Wasps twenty-two Waldouck broke away through at least two tackles and had Doherty in support and it was the pass to the latter that saw the winger cross for an excellent breakaway try.  Staunton added the conversion for 26 – 18.  

Three minutes later Wasps broke out again as Waldouk ran through to score after Wasps had turned over possession as Quins attacked. Staunton again added the conversion and there was now only a point between the teams at 26 – 25 with ten minutes remaining. 

But Quins are more streetwise now than in former days and from their next thrust into Wasps territory they gained a penalty that allowed Malone to widen the score gap to four points.  Frenzied Wasps attacks were resisted staunchly.  Wasps declined a penalty kick at the posts and chose to tap and go.  It almost succeeded but Voyce knocked-on over the line and Quins retained possession at the scum that followed and for the remaining few minutes to the final whistle.  

The return match next Monday at Henley will clearly be a torrid affair as Quins look for more league points to allow them through to the Final.  It is clear that Premier Rugby have some decisions to make regarding the postponed matches.  Several of those cannot be played and may lead to points being awarded.  Quins have one such game when Gloucester postponed and the possible five points could take them clear of Wasps. 

Harlequins A: 15. Ryan Manyika, 14. Seb Stegmann, 13. George Lowe, 12. Seb Jewell, 11. Charlie Amesbury, 10. Chris Malone, 9. Steve So'oialo, 1. Aston Croall, 2. Gary Botha, 3. John Brooks, 4. Ollie Kohn, 5. Jim Evans, 6.Chris Hala'ufia, 7. Tom Sargeant, 8. Phil Davies
Replacements: 16. Micky Pointing, 17. Dan Frazier, 18. Ricky Nebbett, 19. Chris Yorke, 20. Andy Gomarsall, 21. Kevin Fisher,

Wasps A:  15. Mark van Gisbergen, 14. Chris Bishay, 13.Dominic Waldouck, 12. Mark Odejobi, 11 Tom Voyce, 10 Jeremy Staunton, 9 Mark Macmillan, 1. Tom French, 2. James Buckland, 3. Pat Barnard, 4. Dan Collier, 5. Richard Birkett, 6. Dan Leno, 7. Rob Webber, 8. Matt Corker
Replacements: 16 Michael Holford, 17. Nick Porter, 18. Tom Lindsay, 19 James Watkins, 20. Simon Amor, 21. Joe Simpson, 22 David Doherty

Referee: Ashley Rowden (RFU)

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