This was a game not marked by the conventional litany of rugby parlance.

Although, it was a game marked by the sight of two fine rugby teams playing under the direction of two of the finest DOR in the Premiership or anywhere else for that matter.

Dean Richards v Eddie Jones - England v Australia – Quins v Sarries.

Two first class sides with tremendous players.

However, other issues were at work – but more of that later.

The first 25 minutes saw a constant onslaught of fast Quins attacks from every angle wide left and right, down the middle, Sarries hardly saw the ball – ball in hand Quins are irresistible and a wonderful sight, so how did Sarries come up to the 25 minute mark 3 – 10 ahead?

Totally against the run of play

 – huge frustration in the Quins ranks but no sense of despair.

It was at this point that I realised that I had better stop drinking beer and concentrate on the game, because there was more going on than should have been and I had to concentrate!

It became clear around this time that two of the best DOR’s in the business had prepared two of the best teams in the Premiership to play an enthralling match.

Young Eddie had clearly prepared a strong defensive strategy against a Quins team that have a great defence but also have the most formidable attacking division in the Premiership. Eddie had obviously worked out where he was going to stop us and that a Sarries win was to be picked up from our mistakes in their counter attack.

 A good strategy and well executed but that didn’t stop Quins turning round at half time 13 – 10.

 A fine try from a demonstrably mature Danny Care who’s pop up allowed Ceri to score under the posts

 – It was an easy conversion for a clearly out of sorts Snapper.

The second half saw a more confident Sarries.

 Eddie had obviously worked them over and told them they had a sniff of a win but Quins are not the Roll over Queens of Old – just the opposite. However a fine try by Houghton kept up the pressure on the home side.

However, Quins were never to be denied and a brilliant scrum half try down the blind by our Danny finished off a first class win for Quins 21 – 15

I would have been happier if Quins had turned their over whelming possession and skill ball in hand, into points.

We have to translate possession into points if we want win the highest honours.

However, a win is a win.

BUT what about the nose and the earlier mysterious references to an unusual game?

It was a win by a nose against a team who had been so cruelly treated by their management earlier in the week.

How could a team and manager who had been assassinated two days before play so well?

I have nothing but the highest admiration and respect for the Sarries players, their fans and Eddie Jones for turning up, and playing a game, that they could have won.

( NOT should have but COULD have won)

I suppose it highlights the issues within the Professional Game where a Club is no longer a Club in the old sense but a financial entity – but that is still no excuse for treating players like bits of meat – despicable.

I know I speak on behalf of every one on this board and at Quins in wishing Sarries well in the future.

Finally, the Nose arrived over a Small smell on the pitch.

The game was played with an intensity despite all that was going on at Sarries, but it was not helped by a miserable display of refereeing that left me with a note that  ‘ I  had no idea what was going on ‘ – and, Peter, that was not the beer talking!

I have never seen Dean quite so, well animated is the wrong word, but his face was grim when he passed me on the way to the RFU rep. – scary!

Eddie was rather more vociferous on the field as were both sets of spectators.

‘ Swallow the Whistle’ was an alternative title for this piece but that that didn’t express the referee’s ineptitude.

We were not happy bunnies.

However, Mr Small treated both the teams with the same degree of ambivalence (although Sarries may feel they were denied a try)

In the end Quins won and I do believe it was a fair result …

… But I would wouldn’t I?

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