Expectations were certainly high before the game with many predicting a runaway Quins score of 40 plus points. In the end, despite moments of genius it was an afternoon of missed chances and knock about handling error's that would impress even Buster Keaton.

With quite possibly our starting XV for the LDH on the pitch, things start well. An early Ulster knock on gives Quins a good scrum in the Ulster half and before we know it, Care is speeding ahead, passing to Easter before Ulster are awarded a penalty at the ensuing ruck. From the Ulster line out the ball is kicked down field to Brown who motors up the pitch and takes the tackle. As bodies from both sides pile up, Brooker pops up with the ball and charges halfway up the field, passing to Easter and along the line to JTH who seemingly has the try in the bag. Unfortunately not only is there a forward pass but it is to be the first of many impressive Quins moves that are to end in disappointment.

The next ten minutes features some good play from both sides but despite an excellent take on one of Nevs kick from Monye, neither side looks like troubling the score board. The Ulster defence is aggressive and with ball in hand their back line is looking better on the pitch than perhaps it did on paper before the game. Quins still have most of the possession though and following a good line out take from Kohn, the team drive towards the Ulster tryline. Feeling the pressure, Ulster are penalised and a quick tap and go from Care finally put Quins on the scoreboard about 15 minutes into the game.

The rest of half is characterised by plenty of possession for Quins, lots of attacking play and unfortunately, lots of errors. On the 25 minute mark a superb passage of play featuring Nev, Easter, Robshaw, JTH and Lowe surely would have ended in a try had there not been a forward pass - this time I believe the normally reliable Easter was culprit.

Frustration by Quins and that solid defence from Ulster meant that aside from a Nev penalty, the half looks like it will end with the score at a rather disappointing 10 - 0. Clearly in need of some divine inspiration, a short period of good pressure from Quins at the very end of the half sees the ball passed through the forwards to Monye, who pins his ears back to score, which Nev promptly converts.

Its 17 - 0 at halftime and the chatter around me is mixed but the general consensus is that Quins seem a little complacent and a little too eager to get the ball out wide at any opportunity. With all the possession, Quins should have more to show for it.

The second half doesn't start well with Quins knocking on from the restart. Another ten minutes of good moves followed by handling errors (including a great take by Monye, who then promptly drops it) lead to wholesale changes. Casson, Smith, Stevenson and a new front row, including Quins very own pony tailed plonker, Joe 'Rodney' Marler come on. More pressure from Quins follows but still the Ulster defence holds and on the 65th minute, another raft of Quins subs come on with Care, Easter and Vallejos off and Guest, Dickson and Browne on.

This seems to have a galvanising effect as Quins push for the tryline and quick ball from Dickson and good hands from Clegg and Casson send Marler over for what I dare say will be the first of a number of tries for him this season.

The final ten minutes see Quins new boy Urdapilleta come on at full back and the game ends with a bit of a whimper at 24 - 0.

And that was it. A rather drab end to the game. Credit to Ulster, they defended well and clearly weren't going to give us an easy game. Their forwards were abrasive and their backline would surely have kept them right in the game if they hadn't caught whatever disease Quins had that led to the enormous amount of handling errors.

For Quins, plenty of possession and impressive attacking play only led to a knock on or a missed pass. Monye had clearly coated his hands in butter in the second half and unfortunately Mike Brown still can't pass but credit to him for running from deep just about every time he had the ball.

I thought the new boys looked sharpe. Casson seemed to combine well with Smith in the centre, and despite the obligatory jelly handed moment defended well and can certainly stay on his feet in the tackle. Browne and Stevenson made a pretty dynamic second row pairing (Stevenson seems to get better every game he plays)and Urdapilleta looks quick and alert - his tap tackle on Mcllwaine near the end was impressive.

As for the rest, Brooker looks like he'll finally get his place in the starting 15 (although Cairns is a better thrower in my opinion) and Dickson will certainly be pushing Care for the No.9 jersey. Apart from the haircut, Marler was his usual self when he came on. I think he'll adapt to life in the Premiership very quickly and for the first time in a few seasons I feel confident about our options at loosehead.

I thought the team looked fit (Kohn and Easter in particular) and although there were a lot of mistakes they looked very well drilled. Our defence was again superb and a huge improvement over last year. 7 points shipped in 3 games is a great return and should bode well for the season. Danny Care didn't get yellow carded and despite the errors the players seemed determined to try and play a fast and expansive game of rugby.

The scrum was a little 50/50 in the first half but we seemed to be pushing them all over the place in the second. Our line outs were solid enough although constantly throwing the ball to Kohn may get stale very quickly. Nev and Cleggs kicking was good and I think on balance that we look in a much better state that what we did this time last year.

So, all in all a bit of a mixed bag. On a personal note it was great to be back at the Stoop and a big hello to Lex, both the Yeti's and Quinton Poulson. As for Quins, I'm not sure if I see us as top 4 material yet but we certainly have it in us to achieve a top 6 finish.

View a Printer Friendly version of this Story.

Bookmark or share this story with:

• Digg
• Delicious
• Facebook
• Reddit
• Stumbleupon

Related Articles:

• Preview: Harlequins v Ulster, Saturday 20 August 2010, 2:30