Harlequins

Quins Stumble on Abu Dhabi day: Harlequins  16-23

Many thanks The Kid, a fine first match report, here's hoping you get to report on a win next time

Great write up TK.

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QUIN KONG

Excellent report TK, and very quick! Many thanks

We had no answer to the breaks by Foden and McAlister. The latter is a wonderful player, beautifully balanced in his running.

Mind you, we did kind of give them the ball when they were in space.

I agree with an awful lot. Mostly about the lack of experience. A cannier team would not have faced up to the Sale pack. During the first and last quarter we ran their forwards ragged. On about 20 minutes Chabal looked as though he should be taken off - he looked ***ckered. But then it became about forward play and playing it close which suited these big lumbering Sale forwards. In the last quarter we had numbers and ran everything and the Sale forwards left at the end of the match looking very tired. Our boys by comparison looked as though they could have gone on for quite qa bit longer.

I also agree that this young team should very rightly get all the plaudits for turning the season around and showing their collective and substantial talent. Long may it last.

Very big disappointment but you could see it coming after the Irish game.

Just when you think Quins will do something they revert to type - play for 20 minutes then run out of ideas, let the game slip with poor kicking, bad decision-making and ill discipline in the next 40 and then come back with too little too late in the last 20.

Sale looked a class act, particularly Luke McAlister who always seemed to hit the ball at pace, run straight, beat the gain line and then pass at pace to a back line on the move. Something Andy Friend has never seemed to master. Tosh Masson and JTH must study the video material of McAlister on Sunday if you want to learn what playing No.12 is all about.

Sharks clearly had done their homework and always looked comfortable a very predictable Quins side. Their back row attacked our 10/12 channel with scrum ball but were happy to move up and allow Tom Guest to run sideways and mess up the angles for Quins backs.

And please Deano, stop using the latest excuse - Quins are a young side. You choose the team for each occassion - if you needed a few old heads why weren't Easter, Volley, Barry, Botha or Malone in the starting line-up?

So near - but yet again the bridesmaids.

Next season really must deliver some silverware, let's hope we don't have to rely on just 2 headline recruits to deliver in 0809............

Botha was injured - here's hoping he's OK for next week otherwise we're a bit light at hooker. Aston Croall might be called upon to play hooker.

Thanks The Kid, I think you got it spot on. Sadly, we flattered to deceive early on and no doubt that the best side won.

Once Tani went off, we seemed to lose all shape. Good report, Kid, thanks!

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"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to bleat about it all over the internet"

Quote:

And please Deano, stop using the latest excuse - Quins are a young side. You choose the team for each occassion - if you needed a few old heads why weren't Easter, Volley, Barry, Botha or Malone in the starting line-up?

Because the players he picks are better than those mentioned. And they do lack experience. Presumably though, talent is more valuable to Deano, but I see nothing wrong with using the experience excuse - he's right!

QP,

I still remember Squeaky using that excuse for the budgies, look at them now....

How Dare you compare Squeaky to our magnificent DOR!