Match postponement due to a frozen pitch would have been a result last Sunday as Quins lost to Wasps at Adams Park. The thrills and excitement before Christmas, with two highly emotional, back to back wins over Stade Francais evaporated over a bleak Christmas and New Year period as a miserly three league points were gained from a possible fifteen, or even a more realistic twelve points, based on the performance of the two Heineken Cup wins. Harlequins have not won their last three matches. Expectation was high of an away win at Northampton and indeed Wasps with their poor and indifferent form. Yet these resulted in two losses although the late rally at High Wycombe salvaged a losing bonus point. The “Big Match” at Twickenham at Christmas against Leicester was clearly a commercial success, and the 26-26 score line was probably a fair result, after Quins looked dead a buried  earlier in the match at 9 -23. Many thought the score line was a fair reflection that day but reflection shows that this was a match where Quins dropped two points rather that gained two points.

As I draughted this preview earlier this week I found that I had the same sentiments that Boonie had posted in his “I can cope with disappointment” thread on the CAW website.” ...because of the games against Stade, I think I, and probably most of the other supporters, were expecting a major steamrollering of Saints, an excellent chance of turning over Tigers, and one of the better chances for a long time of taking the sting out of Wasps in their own backyard. That's where the hope, or possibly even the expectation, gets you...and the subsequent failure to live up to the hope and expectation has left the Quins part of my life a little deflated over the last few weeks.”

Despite the successes of recent times the “old Quins” appear to be still around, and the analogy of the team “skating on thin ice” is perfect to describe our current predicament perfectly. Harlequins appear to be suffering mid winter blues, in all the years I ve supported the Club this has always been our low point of the season, as the team produce the now annual winter of discontent. This week’s match may well define the rest of the season, and we hope that the poor results over Christmas were just a blip. Certainly after last year’s winter low the team bounced back and almost made the play offs, so all is not lost, yet.. Our current run in the Heineken cup is in itself a great achievement, although we have still yet to qualify for the quarter finals, but that success HAS to be backed up in the Premiership too as we could find ourselves slipping back into the European Challenge Cup next season 

Defeat last Sunday sees Harlequins remain in sixth position, just one place lower in the table than when the teams last met. Those teams above Quins are beginning to pull away and Quins have to target this match as a five point bonus win in order to maintain their league position. 

Worcester’s match last week against Sale was postponed due to a frozen pitch, and they have had an extra week’s rest for their players, whereas Quins will continue to suffer with some fatigued players and injuries. Improved discipline will also help to improve the score line.

Worcester v Quins matches have always had an edge to them with both teams determined to come out on top. This is probably due to the number of ex Quins in the Worcester line up, Sanderson, Powell and Horstmann have been joined this year by Hal Luscombe, who could well be starting his first full match for Worcester, since leaving The Stoop last summer and recovering from injury. The club rivalry has also been increased by a few notches after the acrimonious departure of Andy Gomarsall, who seems to thrive and perform well against his old club. The two teams last meet in a mid week match early October at Sixways when Quins came away with an away win 23-30.

We are just over the half way point of the season, Quins have  to target their next two GP matches as five point wins, both matches are at home, Worcester this weekend and Northampton at the end of the month. Having done so well in the Heineken they also have to do enough to qualify for the quarter finals, Ulster away next week will be tough but it would be more desirable to clinch that place in Belfast rather than wait for the home match against Scarlets the following weeks.

An interesting and exciting string of matches await, Quins have to get back to winning ways this weekend, and it has all the makings of an exciting match. Unfortunately I m unable to get to The Stoop this weekend but I ll certainly have it on my mind all day. Wrap up warm and enjoy the game and a belated Happy New year to you.

Come on You Quins!

The other Premiership matches are;  

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