But this was truly a game of two halves and there can have been few in the ground or watching on television who gave Quins any chance of a result so unlikely when the first half ended.

It took Scarlets only 40 seconds to set out their stall and score the first try as Stoddart scored in the left corner after rapid passing opened a gap on the left wing which Quins were unable to close.. The conversion attempt from the touchline failed.  But Scarlets were encouraged by their success and almost added a second try within five minutes only to knock the ball on and concede a scrum. Continued pressure from the home team foundered again on an unforced error and again Quins had a scrum.  Danny care was penalised for not putting the ball in straight and Scarlets called a scrum.  Once again quick ball was moved along the line of backs and an overlap allowed Mark Jones to score in the corner.  Stephen Jones' kick from the touchline failed again. After ten minutes Scarlets led by 10  - 0.

Harlequins opened their scoring account a couple of minutes later when a penalty against Scarlets for not releasing in the tackle provided Malone with his first opportunity to kick successfully.  Scarlets response was a further attack with fine break from Mark Jones who looked to be clear to score until a superb tackle from Gonzalo Tiesi prevented an almost certain try. However, Quins went offside on the ten metre line and this time Stephen Jones' kick restored the ten point gap between the sides. Unfortunately, a couple of minutes later, Malone missed a similar opportunity.  Stephen Jones increased the Scarlets lead with two more penalties before the end of the half to increase the lead to 16 points.

Scarlets might have had another try just before the interval but for a superb try-saving tackle from Mike Brown that drew applause from the knowledgeable Welsh crowd.  Quins were apparently down and out as they went in at half time

One can only conjecture what words were said in the dressing room.  According to Chris Malone, it was John Kingston who did the talking. The words were not reasonably printable and many were directed at Malone.  Whatever was said seems to have had a decided effect for the Harlequins who appeared for the second half played an immeasurably better game.  Although still under some pressure in the scrum they were quicker and more efficient in the breakdown and Malone’s kicking game was more accurate and effective.  Within the first six minutes, Malone kicked two penalties to further reduce the deficit and although Jones scored with one, the tide was turning.

Clever substitutions saw the entry of Fuga, Easter and Robson replacing Botha, Guest and Kohn.  At once Quins appeared to have gained forward momentum and the ball was worked into the Scarlets’ twenty-two.  At a breakdown only about ten metres from the try-line Quins had a penalty and in characteristic style Danny Care tapped and then evaded the tackles to cross for the try. Malone converted and the gap was down to six points at 22 – 16.

Quins resumed the attack and Quins had the benefit of a penalty when Scarlets’ hooker, Rees, was sent to the bin for a spear tackle on Tani Fuga.  Malone took the points.  Quins resumed their pressure with Scarlets reduced to 14 men.   Then came the real turning point of the match as an almost perfect kick from Malone towards the left corner was collected by Ugo Monye at pace and taken round to be touched down under the posts giving an easy conversion which was duly taken by Malone.  Harlequins were now in the lead 22 – 26 with about ten minutes remaining.

Good accurate kicking kept play mostly in the Scarlets half of the field.  Time was running apparently faster as Malone missed first with an attempted drop goal and shortly after with a penalty kick.  Quins remained unruffled.  They were physical at the breakdown and turned over possession to deprive Scarlets of chances to attack.  Gomarsall replaced Care to help close out the game.  With two minutes remaining Malone added another three points from a penalty to complete the scoring, but by this time the locals were streaming out of the ground unbelieving and disappointed.

The joy of the players at this fantastic victory and the smiles on their faces was echoed more soberly by the coaching staff and the loyal supporters who made a second journey to West Wales in a week were well rewarded. 

After the match Dean Richards praised the character and belief of his team, saying "We knew at half-time we could get back into it. They could never play with the pace they did in that first half for 80 minutes, while we couldn't play any worse than we did in that first half.

"We kept the scoreboard ticking over and we took our tries well. We controlled the game in the second half and played some great rugby.  The boys deserve a lot of credit for that, but we know it is still very much early days in this competition and we are not going to rest on our laurels."

Richards went on: "One of the things we talked about at half-time was that we led London Irish 20-3 at half-time a couple of weeks ago and lost the game so we knew it was possible. The three boys who came on midway through the half (Tani Fuga, Nick Easter and George Robson) also made a big impact for us."

This was Harlequins’ first away win in the Heineken Cup since they defeated Bridgend in 2002 and an excellent start to the Cup campaign. It will give the players a great boost in their confidence that can only reflect in even better results to come.

Scarlets: M Stoddart; D Daniel, R King (R Higgitt, 66), G Evans, M Jones (C Thomas, 75); S Jones, S Martens (M Roberts, 60); I Thomas, M Rees, K Meeuws, V Cooper (N Thomas, 70), S Maling (S MacLeod, 25), S Easterby (capt), G Thomas (K Owens, 61-69.DLyons 

Harlequins: M Brown; C Amesbury, G Tiesi (E Taione, 66), J Turner-Hall, U Monye; C Malone, D Care (A Gomarsall, 72); C Jones, G Botha (T Fuga, 54), M Ross, O Kohn (G Robson, 54), J Evans, C Robshaw, W Skinner (capt), T Guest (N Easter, 54). 

Referee: C Berdos (France).

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