By Harlequinade
April 28 2011

I arrived at the stoop with a sense of eager anticipation!The recent warm dry weather had left the pitch hard and dry, and I confidently expected a feast of the fast , skilful (but high risk) rugby that Harlequins had exhibited in the matches that had led to their comfortable topping of the Southern pool!

I hadn’t managed to watch any of Tigers previous games but expected a typical dogged Tigers performance .

The only thing that marred my anticipation was the sight of Wavy Davey’s name on the Match card!

(probably unfairly but I am entitled to my prejudices)

I scanned the team lists and when I saw Williams, Stegmann , Lindsay-Hague, and Sam Stuart in the quins backs , and Harrison. Ford , Twelvetrees , Hipkiss and Amorosino in the tigers lne up my mouth watered!

Quins kicked off and Clegg wisely put the ball up high into the low sun!.

Tigers cleared their lines with a long touch kick but as expected Quins took a quick throw and Lindsay-Hague showed his international sevens skills to good effect when he made a jinking 40 metre run.

Tigers had to concede the penalty at the breakdown and Clegg slotted the 3 points.

All pretty much as expected.

Tigers then gained a kickable penalty of their own from the restart but 36 pushed it just wide.

Tigers continued to pile on the pressure though and then missed their best try scoring opportunity

when a clever cross field kick found touch rather than the winger.

Another quick throw in and this time its quins putting on the pressure .

Williams tries a chip but is beaten to the ball.

Quims attack again and Tigers concede another kickable pen.



Then more Quins pressure and again a pen.

This time Clegg misses though and Tigers soon make em pay, with a great break from Hippo and some good support work leading to a canter over for Green which 36 converts to give Tigers a 7-6 lead.



At this point something peculiar happens to the Quins mindset!

I don’t know whether it is because the Quins Scrum and breakdown seems to have just the edge on Tigers or what.

However, after a quick tap penalty from their own 22 ends in Tigers successfully regaining possession, for most of the rest of the game they eschew the fast running and lightning fast unloading style and play a much more pedestrian game, taking the ball into contact much more.

This played right into Tigers hands and from then on they took increasing control of the game.

A penalty apiece made the Half Time score 9-10.

After the break a similar pattern of play continued.

Handbags between a couple of front rowers led to a quins penalty which put the into the lead 12-10!

Quins line out wasn’t functioning well however and then penalty which 36 slotted put Tigers ahead again 12-13 and then another made it 12-16.

Only a lovely run by sidelight lightened the mood in what was now a disappointingly dour contest!

Another Quins infringement gave tigers 3 more points .

Quins pressured again and gained a penalty of their own to make it 15-19 where it stayed till the final whistle!

A sense of disappointment somehow in-spite of the win!

Still, I suppose it was a semi final!

I doubt I will get to another game this year apart from the Premiership final!

Lets hope I am supporting Tigers there too!

Quins v Tigers A League semi review

Discussion started by TheLeicesterTigers.co.uk , 28/04/2011 16:24

TheLeicesterTigers.co.uk
28/04/2011 16:24

What do you think? You can have your say by posting below.
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:05:03:20:46:16 by Stephen Bath.

Reply Quote Report

Tiggs
28/04/2011 16:26

Many thanks for this report - super !!

Reply Quote Report

Stopsy
28/04/2011 18:34

Thanks Ade

Reply Quote Report

Tiggs
28/04/2011 23:06

Mike, are you up for a brief note on the final ?

Reply Quote Report

Stopsy
29/04/2011 10:19

Yep

Reply Quote Report

Tiggs
29/04/2011 11:14

Thanks Mike, have a good day out !

Reply Quote Report

harlequinade
02/05/2011 20:47

I was mistaken!
Quins emulated the Tigers at ThomondPark and I will now see the final in Cardiff of the Amlin!
Stade should be a pushover!
Quins beat em home and away last time out!!!!

Reply Quote Report

Rich W
03/05/2011 11:47

one chicken...two chickens...three chickens...

Thanks for the report though!

...

Reply Quote Report

Tiggs
03/05/2011 20:46

Thanks again.

Reply Quote Report

Goto: Forum List•Message List•Search• Log In

Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.

We record all IP addresses on the Sportnetwork message boards which may be required by the authorities in case of defamatory or abusive comment. We seek to monitor the Message Boards at regular intervals. We do not associate Sportnetwork with any of the comments and do not take responsibility for any statements or opinions expressed on the Message Boards. If you have any cause for concern over any material posted here please let us know as soon as possible by e-mailing abuse@sportnetwork.net