We certainly started briskly, winning a penalty from Quins’ kick-off, kicking it to touch and setting up a good attacking position in their half. We retain and recycle the ball and Deano batters down the right to be hauled down just short. Charlie jinks and darts, and almost makes it, but then Sisa gets the ball and there’s no stopping him from a couple of yards out. The conversion is wide, but we are 5-0 ahead after just 3 minutes.

Quins are clearly not just here to make up the numbers and have a spell of sustained pressure from the restart. They march into our 22 with phase after phase of possession, Charlie almost pulls off an interception but knocks on and, from the scrum, Quins drive on the right, work the ball left and Nick Evans nips over, then converts his own try. Quins, their tails up, press again from the restart and slide a grubber kick through the Sale defence. Ben Cohen, under pressure, gathers in his own 22, beats two Quins players, and belts the ball into touch on the right. The game develops into a very even struggle now, with a few memorable moments- Mark Cueto following up a Dwayne Peel box kick and flattening the unfortunate defender; a couple of minutes later, another long touchfinder from Ben Cohen; then a pinpoint Charlie cross kick, aimed for Mark Cueto, who torments two defenders, waiting for support. But finally Quins gain the upper hand and set up a lineout five metres short. A classic catch and drive put prop Aston Croall over just before the half hour.

As half time approaches, and we are still 5-14 down, Quins lose possession and Lee Thomas breaks down the left. Quins infringe, desperate to get the ball, and Charlie puts the penalty into the corner. We run the ball from the lineout but Quins are penalised at the breakdown and, with no time left, Charlie takes the three points.

We start the second half brightly too. Ben Cohen’s strong run through the middle sets up a good position, Quins have an opportunity to clear but mess up, Cueto runs the ball back and we win a penalty which Charlie slots. We are back in it at 11-14 with more than half an hour to play. We have a horrible fright at the restart, which is kicked long, bounces and then comes back off the crossbar. Fortunately, we scramble the ball away to touch, then pinch the lineout and Charlie clears. The game see-saws for another ten minutes or so, before we set up a good attacking position on the left, after a couple of resets, we work the ball to the centre and Eifion scores. With the conversion, we have an 18-14 lead with just about an hour played.

The weather is really deteriorating by now, with heavy snow showers, and players staring to slip and slide, so we have a pause for the lines to be swept. Restarting, Quins gain field position, then we give away a penalty and it’s tight, just one point in it. We strike back quickly, though and gain a bit of breathing space with a solid driving maul, followed by a Charlie penalty. By now, the weather is really appalling and the referee looks like he wants to end the game. The captains disagree, we have further break for line sweeping and the teams play on. It’s a very scrappy last few minutes, and apart from one heart stopping moment where Quins kick on into our in-goal area and the onrushing attacker is just beaten to the ball by Mark Cueto, the game rather fizzles out in snow, mud and steaming forwards.

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