Both the conditions and Quins present style of rugby meant that they went on the attack from the start.  It took barely three minutes for the opening try.  A quick throw-in, far from straight but permitted under the ELVs, found its way to Mike Brown who broke through the defence and sent a poor and speculative long pass to his left where a lucky bounce found Ugo Monye in space with nothing but thirty metres between himself and the try-line.  Nick Evans’ kick from the left touchline drifted left.

A penalty against Quins took play into their twenty-two as the visitors found a good touch.  Quins won the lineout but a forward pass brought another scrum and although this was won against the head a penalty just inside the Quins half allowed the visitors fly-half, Irving, to open their account with an accurate kick, making the score to 5 – 3.

From the restart Quins gained a scrum from which they mounted an attack on the left. Good defence saw the ball lost forward and touched down in the in-goal area. Called back for a penalty about five metres from the try-line, Quins opted for a scrum.  From the set piece the ball was moved rapidly right along the backs and Tiesi darted through the defence for the try.  Nick Evans converted.

Quins continued to play running rugby showing fine handling, offloading in the tackle and playing with confidence in their own and the team’s abilities.  The visitors, while physical and tenacious in defence had little penetration and never really threatened to score.  As the first quarter ended a penalty gave the Italians a chance to add to their score but the ball went wide. 

Three minutes later a chip over the defence from Nick Evans, intended for Monye saw the ball bounce high out of the latter’s reach as he chased.  The ball fell to a Parma player whose pass was intercepted by Monye as he ran back and the winger’s elegant, accurate cross-kick found Tom Guest at speed along the right wing for the No.8 to score in the corner.  The conversion attempt from the right touchline was unsuccessful.  Quins lead increased to 17 – 3.

Quins were on the attack almost immediately from the restart and superb passing and offloading by both backs and forwards sliced through the defence leaving Ceri Jones a simple try under the posts.  Nick Evans added the conversion.  Quins continued to press but both sides were guilty of unforced errors brought about by trying too hard to force the pace.  As time was running out, a fine kick by Ugo Monye found an excellent touch in the visitors twenty-two.  Quins stole the lineout and a maul rolled towards the try-line and almost crossed.  A five-metre scrum brought a penalty for Quins who called another scrum.  The Italians were pushed back and Tom Guest broke from the back of the scrum to score his second try.  Nick Evans added the conversion with the last kick of the half.  The score was 31 – 3 at the interval.

Harlequins started the second half in similar fashion to the first half.  They were immediately on the attack and it was Tiesi, ever more impressive as time went on, who broke through the defence.  Although he was stopped, Quins were awarded a penalty.  They caught and drove from the ensuing lineout and Ceri Jones was driven over for his second try.  Again the conversion attempt failed.

After about twelve minutes of the half had elapsed, a mass substitution by Quins made substantial changes to the team. Gomarsall, Luveniyali, Barry, Tom Williams and Nick Easter replaced Care, Evans, Tiesi, Turner-Hall and Robshaw.  Quins continued to attack and this time it was Skinner who broke away.  Although he was stopped the ball ran loose and was snapped up by Monye who went over for his second try of the afternoon.  Luveniyali added the conversion.  As the game moved into the final quarter the score was 43 – 3.   Croall and Jim Evans replaced Fuga and Robson.

Parma made a determined effort to attack.  They were employing rolling substitutions and fresh legs were helping sustain the effort.  Quins defence was resolute and in the end they settled for an excellent drop goal from substitute fly-half Mazzariol.  Quins made their final substitutions with McMillan and O’Connor replacing Guest and Kohn. 

From a set piece, it was quick passing and good handling that suddenly found Monye running from deep at full speed and taking the ball to cross the try-line under the posts for his hat-trick.  Luveniyali’s kick added the conversion to bring up the half century.  

Time was running out, but Quins were far from done.  Tom Williams received a high ball and sold an outrageous dummy to the would-be tackler.  The ball was moved rapidly through several pairs of hands and finally found David Strettle.  His trade-mark, arcing run to the right corner was never going to be stopped and he duly touched down for the try which Luveniyali converted.

Quins still had time for a final score as almost immediately they broke through a tired and dispirited Italian defence and Will Skinner galloped to the line for the tenth try. Luveniyali again added the points and the final score was 64 – 6.  

As a match, this was always going to be an uneven contest in fitness and ability.  The Italians were certainly no better than a weak Division One side and one’s memory was stirred by recollections of some performances in that relegation season.  Still it must engender confidence and the prospect for the season is bright.

Harlequins
15. Mike Brown, 14. David Strettle, 13.Gonzalo Tiesi, 12. Jordan Turner Hall, 11. Ugo Monye, 10. Nick Evans, 9. Danny Care; 1. Ceri Jones, 2. Tani Fuga, 3. Mike Ross, 4. Ollie Kohn, 5. George Robson, 6. Chris Robshaw, 7. Will Skinner (C), 8.  Tom Guest
Substitutes: 16, Aston Croall, 17. John Brooks, 18. Shane O’Connor. 19. Jim Evans, 20. Nick Easter, 21. Neil McMillan, 22. Andy Gomarsall, 23. Waisea Luveniyali, 24. De Wet Barry, 26. Tom Williams

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