The visitors mounted early attacks in an attempt to unsettle their opponents and their left wing, Havili, almost scored in the corner after seven minutes, but was just put into touch short of the line by a fine tackle from Strettle.  The Pirates, through Havili, did score first when, with Quins on attack and pressing hard, the winger made a lucky interception on his own twenty-two and set off for the line.  Giving a passable imitation of Usain Bolt, Ugo Monye chased him down just short of the line despite having to make up ten metres to do so.  Although Monye tackled successfully, he was unable to hold Havili who managed to get to his feet and flop over the line.  The try was duly converted and Pirates let 0 – 7 after thirteen minutes.

The response was immediate as Nick Evans made a good break through the centre and a kick through by Danny Care forced the Pirates to carry the ball across their own line.  From the resultant five-metre scrum the ball was moved rapidly wide, but the final pass was forward.  But almost immediately, a quickly taken penalty by Danny Care found Tiesi who cut through the defence to score near the posts.  Nick Evans converted and the scores were level after twenty minutes.

The second try followed only three minutes later as Camacho ran onto Nick Evans’ finely placed kick to the left corner, giving Harlequins a lead which they never lost.  Evans conversion attempt from the touchline curled wide of the post.  Pirates added to their score from a penalty after Care was caught in possession and isolated as he tried to break through the defence, narrowing the gap to 12 – 10.

A penalty in front of the posts saw Quins call a scrum that produced another penalty as the forwards increased the pressure.  This time it was taken quickly and the ball moved quickly wide for David Strettle to cross from close range for the fourth try.  Nick Evans converted.    Quins still found time a couple of minutes later to add a fifth try when a ball moved wide found Tiesi on the right wing and his clever kick ahead allowed him to round the defence and touch down to score.  Evans converted with the final kick of the half and at half-time Quins led 26 – 10.

The second half saw the usual raft of substitutions as during the first seven minutes Quins substituted Botha, Robson, Monye, Tiesi, Evans, Easter, and Lambert bringing on Fuga, Jim Evans, Sam Smith, Macrea, Clegg, Guest and Andress.  The opening part of the half had been scrappy and slightly disrupted by the substitutions. Once again a fine attack was blunted by a final forward pass but Quins were attacking again.  A fine break by Rory Clegg was stopped about five metres from the line.  From the resultant ruck, Tani Fuga emerged with the ball to cross for a try that Clegg converted. 33 – 10 after fifty-eight minutes

The forwards were now dominating the set-piece and Skinner and Jones were replaced by McMillan and Croall.  Another score was not long coming as, with Quins attacking, a lovely pass from Clegg found Strettle at speed from full back crossing untouched for another try which Clegg converted.   Gareth Williams and George Lowe replaced Care and Camacho, all eleven from the bench having an opportunity to show their skills.

With only ten minutes remaining the visitors finally managed another try as fly half Jon Bentley evaded the defensive tackles and scored by the post.  He duly converted to make the score 40 – 17.  But Quins still had time to increase their tally as an excellent cross kick to the right corner from Clegg was gathered by Sam Smith at speed to score the seventh try.  Clegg added the conversion to end the scoring an the match ended with a win for Quins by 47 – 17.

After the game, coach Collin Osborne said that following the three pre-season matches Quins “were pretty well where they wanted to be in terms of preparation…  Everybody had some game time and the opportunity to show what each could do. A lot of people had put their hands up for selection”.  Asked about the afternoon’s opposition he said that they had challenged Quins throughout and made them work for the win.

Looking in from the outside, it was obvious that the new additions to the squad had fitted in well, with Rory Clegg in particular being a great prospect for the future and an excellent back up for Nick Evans.  Monye had a good half at fullback, as did Strettle after Monye departed.  It will be interesting to see who fills that spot next week when the serious business of the season begins.

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