It took only four minutes for the visitors to open the scoring as Hewat kicked a 41-metre penalty to give the Exiles the lead.  The Quins response was immediate as they managed to gain possession and began to move the ball.  A penalty in mid-field taken quickly was passed through hands until it found Sam Smith who broke through to touch downfor the try which Clegg converted.

Turn over ball from the restart put Quins back on the attack and gained them a lineout  on the Irish twenty-two.  At the ensuing ruck a deliberate foul by Bob Casey ought to have been rewarded with a yellowcard rather than a few choice words from the referee, and Clegg’s accurate kick increased the lead to 10 – 3.

Quins continued to play good, inventive, running rugby. A fine pass on the break should have put Tom Guest away for a score, but his onward pass was poor and a chance was missed. Then a great chase by Lowe following Guest's kick ahead caught the defender deep in his own twenty-two andanother penalty, for yet another Irish forward coming in at the side of a ruck, gave Clegg a further chance to increase the score, but the ball drifted wide of the left post. However a couple of minutes later, the fly-half’s fine chase and tap tackle on Hewat took play into the Exiles twenty-two where they were penalised for going offside. This time Clegg made no mistake.

Thirty minutes of the half had elapsed when Seb Jewell intercepted a loose pass inside from the Exiles’ wing and cantered 30 metres unopposed to the line for the second try. Clegg again converted and the lead became 20 – 3. And almost immediately Quins were again on the attack as the ball moved right along the backs found Chisholm and Lowe in space for the latter to score. Clegg converted from the touchline for 27 – 3.

The Exiles did not give up and mounted a more powerful attack with a fine break from Joseph. Although Quins stopped that break, the ruck that formed almost on the line allowed the visitors to creep closer and eventually an Exile prop stretched over for the try. Hewat converted. The half-time score was 27 - 10.

The second half saw the usual changeover of personnel as substitutions were made on both sides. The visitors posed little threat although they strove manfully. The game became rather scrappy. Hewat missed with a penalty and Clegg scored with a similar chance. There was an interesting debut by the new Samoan prop, James Johnston, who announced his presence with a massive hit on one of his more unfortunate opponents. A superbly mazy break by Sam Smith, passing at least four tacklers who did not lay a hand on him moved play deep into Exile territory, but a knock on returned possession to the Irish.

Quins continued to chase the fourth, bonus point, try. Ross Chisholm almost gathered a kick ahead for that try, but lost the ball as he was tackled over the line. Then as time was running out, a determined attack took play up to the Irish line and Rob Buchanan scored. Luvenyali converted with the final kick of the match.

This was a good performance by team made up of a few 1^stXV squad players and the Academy youngsters.  Rory Clegg was impressive with the boot out of hand and fromthe tee and ran the game well. Steve So’oialo was sharp and reminded us of his talent.  Sam Smith’s ability to weave his way through a crowded defence was impressive while George Lowe is a massive talent who gets better every time I see him play.

Results in the Southern Conference of the A League lastnight saw Bath beat Wasps 29-27 and Saracens trounce Gloucester 53 –3.  That should make for an interesting fixture next Monday evening when Saracens come to The Stoop. 

Harlequins

15. Ross Chisholm, 14, George Lowe, 13. Tosh Masson, 12. SebJewell, 11. Sam Smith, 10. Rory Clegg, 9. Steve So’oialo, 1. Aston Croall, 2.Chris Brooker, 3. John Andress, 4. Lewis Stevenson, 5. Charlie Matthews, 6.Jono Ross, 7. Neil McMillan [C], 8. Tom Guest.

Replacements: 16. Joe Marlar, 17. Rob Buchanan, 18. James Johnston, 19. Joe Trayfoot,20. Luke Wallace, 21. Gareth Williams, 22. Waisea Luveniyali, 23. Calum Macrae.

London Irish

15. Peter Hewat, 14. Sam Edgerley, 13. Jonathan Joseph, 12.Charlie Gower, 11. Marcus Watson, 10. Jamie Lennard, 9. Alfredo Lalanne, 1.Robin Boot, 2. Rob Herring, 3, Max Lahiff, 4. Gary Johnson, 5. Bob Casey, [C],6. Kieran Roche, 7. Richard Thorpe, 8. Jon Fisher.

Replacements: 16. Gavin O’Meara, 17. DorianWilliams,  18. Matt Garvey, 19. Jamie Gibson, 20. Ben Stevenson, 21. Guy Armitage, 22.Ed. Lewis-Pratt.

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