Maybe it was the lack of a big crowd, maybe it was the mud bath of a pitch – which left the game in doubt up until one o’clock, but overall it was a very subdued game. Harlequins never looked in real danger of losing, but they never sparkled or turned their territorial dominance into the blow-out win that it should have been. The score was tough on Leeds who, despite being down and out in their bid to stay in the Premiership, gave 100% commitment to the task in hand.

After Tani Fuga led the team onto the field in recognition of his 100^th Premiership game, the first half was pretty mundane to say the least. The one moment of magic came on 14 minutes when Quins were awarded a penalty in a kickable position, but Jarvis took a tap and lofted a great kick to the left hand touchline where Mike Brown out jumped Welding to score in the corner. Although Jarvis missed the conversion in the swampland on the left touchline, he had connected with a 40 metre penalty after 3 minutes following a high tackle by Tuilagi, so Quins led 8-0.

Almost from the kick-off, Di Bernardo accepted the chance to get Leeds on the board with a penalty that AJ matched on 34 minutes, leaving the half time score at 11-3 Quins. To describe further events in the first half would be an attempt to send you to sleep.

Leeds started the second half in determined fashion, but only had a second penalty to show for their endeavours when Danny Care put the game beyond their reach.

After Tom Guest led an assault on the Leeds line following a free kick, the attack was held up over the line. It was only temporary relief for Leeds who were penalised at the ensuing scrum. Quins talisman Care was quick to see a gap and tapped to himself and dived over between the covering players. Jarvis added the extras for an 18-6 lead after 53 minutes.

Following the kick off Leeds should have scored, but Welding was caught from behind with a great cover tackle from Ugo Monye. They were further frustrated later in the game when the referee called back a score for a forward pass, which looked pretty marginal from my seat in the stand. I guess good luck rarely visits bottom placed teams.

On 65 minutes Quins added to their lead when Jim Evans crashed over following a strong backs move from a lineout, leaving Quins 15 minutes to get the bonus point.

It looked as if they had blown their chance of taking five points when David Strettle was released in his own 22 and set off at pace, drew the full back and then contrived to give De Wet Barry a forward pass with the line open.

His blushes were saved with no time left on the clock. Leeds tried to attack one last time, but the ball was kicked through to Monye who set off on a run. In the tackle he recycled and George Robson burst through the defense, but was hauled down just short of the line. In came Will Skinner to grab the ball and dive over to clinch the maximum reward for Quins.

It was ugly and no game for the neutral. The vast territorial advantage the visitors enjoyed was never fully exploited. The final score of 32-6 disguised many disappointing elements, including the lineout which was in tatters for much of the game.

Optimists would say that sometimes it is better to be lucky than good. They also say that good teams play badly and win. Let’s hope so. Much better performances are required in the final three games, if the nirvana of a top four finish awaits the Quins.

Afterwards Dean Richards said that he was delighted that they got a five point win in very difficult conditions, but conceded he was “a little bit disappointed that we didn’t get the bonus point a bit earlier. There are obviously errors we can work on, and we will.” He was also concerned about how much the heavy conditions will haven taken out of the players, with a short week to prepare for London Irish.

Finally, he said that “I’ll be delighted should we make the playoffs, but if we don’t, we don’t. The most pleasing thing for me is that I’ve got a side which loves playing rugby. It’s a very exciting young side, with bags of enthusiasm.

They are willing to learn and they are learning week in, week out.

Lesson over. On to Reading…………….

Leeds Carnegie: 15. Hinton, 14. Welding (Greendale 70 mins.), 13. Vickerman, 12. Tuilagi (Burrell 58 mins.), 11. Rock, 10. Di Bernardo, 9. Bedford (Edwards 67 mins.), 1. MacDonald, 2. Ma’asi (Rawlinson 67 mins.), 3. Hopcroft (Pala’amo 53 mins.), 4. Bouza (Lund 53 mins.), 5. Hooper (capt.), 6. Oakley, 7. Fourie, 8. Clark (Balding 53 mins.).
Replacements: 16. Pala’amo (for 3, 53 mins.), 17. Rawlinson (for 2, 67 mins.), 18. Lund (for 4, 53 mins.), 19. Balding (for 8, 53 mins.), 20. Edwards (for 9, 67 mins.), 21. Burrell (for 12, 58 mins.), Greendale (for 14, 70 mins.).

Harlequins
15.Brown, 14. Williams (Strettle 53 mins.), 13. Monye, 12. Turner-Hall (Barry 53 mins.), 11. Keogh, 10. Jarvis, 9. Care (Gomarsall 63 mins.), 1. Jones (Brooks 68 mins.), 2. Fuga (Botha 53 mins.), 3. Ross, 4. Kohn (Evans 53 mins.), 5. Robson, 6. Robshaw, 7. Skinner (capt.), 8. Guest (Easter 63 mins.).
Replacements: 16. Botha (for 2, 53 mins.), 17. Brooks (for 1, 68 mins.), 18. Evans (for 4, 53 mins.), 19. Easter (for 8, 63 mins.), 20. Gomarsall (for 9, 53 mins.), 21. Strettle (for 14, 53 mins.), 22 Barry (for 12, 70 mins.).

Yellow Card
Ma’asi (27 mins.)

Attendance 3,854

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