Gloucester United won by 35 points to 24.

Quins got off to a good start with the forwards producing a good rolling maul from the first line-out and gaining a penalty as Gloucester went offside. Jarvis had an easy kick for the points to put Quins into the lead. But only two minute later a penalty for reckless use of the boot allowed Davis to level the scores. 3 – 3.

After only seven minutes came the first of Gloucester’s five tries, and the first gift, as with Quins seeking to attack with close passing, an apparently wet ball bobbled up to be intercepted by Elloway, who ran clear from 30 metres to score. Davis added the points. 10 – 3 Quins responded with some good attacking play with a fine break by Mike Brown showing their intentions, but another Gloucester penalty almost on half-way was well struck by Davis to increase the lead.

Quins again responded and from a scrum inside the Gloucester 10-metre line the ball came to Jarvis and his sharp inside pass found Mike Brown coming through at speed, break at least one tackle and run 30 metres to score and for Jarvis to add the points 13 -10 after 18 minutes.

The Gloucester pack was getting stronger in the maul but not in the scrum and they were losing some of their line-outs and although they moved the ball out to their fast wingers they did not seem to pose undue difficulties. An excellent break by Tom Guest seemed to set up a good attack but unforced error and the ever ready whistle brought that to an untimely end. Jarvis missed a penalty kick from wide out and play remained mainly in mid-field until disaster struck again.

A speculative kick deep into Quins’ territory was fielded by Marais, but the full-back’s clearance kick was delivered without any evasive action from him to avoid the two Gloucester forwards who were closing on him and they had the easiest of charge downs. Narroway easily collected the ball and ran in for the try which Davis failed to convert. 18 – 10 with just about 30 minutes gone.

Gloucester increased their pressure and a good little grubber kick for their winger to score just evaded Kiba Richards and only a penalty to Quins saved them from another score. But it was Quins who scored next with a training ground move from a line-out deep in the Gloucester twenty-two, the ball went to Diprose and his pass to Burke who came round the line to break through and score. The conversion by Jarvis brought Quins to within a point at 18 – 17

Quins, however, were in gift mode again. As Gloucester attacked a speculative little kick into the corner found Vass being chased by Morgan for the touch down and the scrum-half’s attempt to kick the ball out totally missed his target leaving Morgan to score. Davis missed the conversion and half-time arrived. 25 – 17.

Quins brought on four replacements for the second half with Justin Jones replacing Mike Brown (with Amesbury moving to centre), Mike Worsley and Alex Rogers replaced Croall and Ward and Inglis replaced Sherrif. Gloucester, too, made changes. Play remained mainly in mid-field with plenty of attempted attacks but little penetration. Jarvis missed another penalty from wide out on the right, but it was the home team that scored first when from a scrum rapid passing to the left wing found an overlap which left an easy run in for Bailey. Davis again missed with his conversion attempt. 30 – 17 after 52 minutes and Quins still trying to catch up.

Gloucester then gained a series of penalties which they chose to scrimmage in an attempt to add to their tries but failed when Quins were awarded a penalty and play rapidly went to the other end of the pitch. With ten minutes remaining a superb catch and drive from a line-out saw the ball taken 20 metres and over the line only to be dropped as it was about to be touched down. All was not lost as from a scrum near the Gloucester line, Jarvis received quick ball and his clever little kick through allowed Charlie Amesbury to score under the posts. Jarvis added the points and Quins, at 30 – 24, had a potential bonus point and still a chance of victory.

But with uncommon generosity Quins allowed a turnover which then put Marcel Garvey on the left wing clear and he scorched along the touchline for the try that sealed the match despite Davis again missing the conversion. 35 – 24. Quins had one last attack as Vass broke through with the line beckoning and support on both sides. Had he passed to his right, the try was certain but he passed left and too far in front of Jones who juggled but knocked on.

This was a curate’s egg type of performance by Quins, one which was certainly good in parts. To give away one try may be misfortune, a second may be only coincidence, but more is carelessness. The league is not lost yet with only the half-way stage having been reached. Quins now lie third with 18 points behind Gloucester with 20 and Saracens with 19.

GLOUCESTER: Olly Morgan; Marcel Garvey, Anthony Allen (Will Merrivale 66), Reuban Aiano, James Bailey; Brad Davies, Simon Amor; Nick Wood (Terry Sigley 60), Rob Elloway, Jack Forster (Nick Wood 70), Mark Cornwell (capt), Quinton Davids (Dan Tuohy 58), Will Matthews, James Merriman, Luke Narraway.

Scorers: Tries: Morgan, Garvey, Bailey, Elloway, Narrway. Cons: Davies (2/5), Pens: Davies (2/2).

HARLEQUINS: Luther Marais; Kiba Richards, Mike Brown (Justin Jones 40), Jordan Turner-Hall, Charlie Amesbury; Adrian Jarvis, Ian Vass; Aston Croall (Mike Worsley 40), Jimmy Richards (James Hayter 65), Lorne Ward (Alex Rogers 40), Kevin Burke, George Robson Tom Guest, Luke Sherriff, (James Inglis 55), Tony Diprose.

Scorers: Tries: Brown, Amesbury, Burke. Cons: Jarvis (3/3), Pens: Jarvis (1/3).

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