Harlequins
Wasps A 13-27 Harlequins A
By AlanQuin
December 8 2009
A determined and committed performance, with the Quins forwards dominating the scrum and supported by good running from the backs, brought Harlequins A victory over Wasps A by 13 - 27 at Henley last night and took them to the top of the Southern Conference of the A League.
While both sides attempted to attack it was Quins that dominated the early exchanges with a penalty allowing Clegg to find a good touch in the Wasps’ twenty-two. Quins’ pressure from the lineout forced the Wasps’ defence to kick the ball dead. The ensuing scrum was reset four times before the inevitable penalty was awarded. This allowed Quins to call another scrum and yet another penalty followed. This time Steve So’oialo took a quick tap and ran through the disorganised Wasps’ defence for a try under the posts that Clegg converted to give Quins the lead after ten minutes.
Eoghan Hickey, awarded the kicking duties despite the return of Cipriani, kicked a penalty for Wasps successfully, to reduce the arrears that were increased again by a similar successful kick from Clegg. Then another Wasps’ attack saw the ball popped up out of a ruck for Odejobi to scamper through the Quins defence to score. Hickey’s successful conversion levelled the score at 10 –10 after twenty-five minutes.
The wet ball led to handling problems on both sides, but Quins’ forwards were always dominant and clean ball for Wasps at the scrum was rare. They had a chance to take the lead from a penalty, but Hickey’s kick went wide. Quins returned to the attack with Lindsay-Hague and Sam Smith showing good pace and willingness to run at the opposition and counter-attack at every opportunity.
Then as the half drew to a close, another Quins’ attack saw the ball mover rapidly right for Drauinui to dive over in the corner for Quins’ second try. Clegg’s excellent conversion from the touchline brought the half-time score to 10 – 17.
Wasps made a number of substitutions at half-time, removing Cipriani who had been virtually anonymous throughout, as well as the scrum half and both props. Ten minutes later they replaced two more forwards. However the Quins’ pack continued to dominate their opponents. Hickey and Clegg exchanged penalties as the score advanced to 13 - 20 after five minutes of the second half, although the latter missed with another long range effort a few minutes later.
Quins too began to make substitutions but the pack continued to dominate and a series of scrums close to the Wasps posts saw Quins drive the scrum forward with unusual ease. Penalties conceded by Wasps were taken as scrums as Quins pressed hard for another score and eventually the referee awarded a penalty try which Clegg converted.
For the remainder of the match Quins were deep in the Wasps’ half pressing unsuccessfully for the bonus point try. They had to be satisfied, however, with four league points as 13 – 27 remained the final score.
After the match coach Colin Osborne expressed his satisfaction at the result and the performance, particularly that of the forwards, it being very rare that a Wasps scrum went backwards so often and so fast.
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Unless, of course, the bus is reversing pretty sharpish to avoid them having to play...
Easy, but necessary.
The game's afoot;
Follow your spirit: and upon this charge,
Cry — God for Harry! England and Saint George
Can anyone say how Lewis Stevenson, Neil McMillan and James Johnston got on?
drop when changes were made. Lewis Stevenson once again worked very hard in all phases and led from the front (noticeable captaincy potential !), McMillan was everywhere and aswell as awesome scrummaging James Johnston did a few dynamic carries in the loose.
One thing that's noticeable about JJ is that he is surprisingly dynamic for such a big bloke, and has an uncanny ability as a 'tackle jackal' - back up on his feet contesting for the ball as quick as your average flanker.
does anyone know what olh's and chisholm's preferred positions are? i thought that olh was mainly a wing and chisholm a fullback?
i'm amazed it took wasps so long to realise that aimlessly kicking the ball towards smith or olh wasn't a good idea as it usually got returned with interest. our tactical kicking was fairly good though on the whole
I was thinking of watching Esher again on Sat and wish I'd gone now - so many tries by our boys. I thought the Baa Baas match was quite boring.
And congratulations to the travelling support.
So did Rory Clegg, completely outplaying Cips in the first half (as I predicted to the Wasps supporters surrounding me in the little stand), although in fairness, it was first match back for him.
Finally, it was a great joy to see us both developing speedster backs and instructing them to run the ball at every opportunity.
For the record - Lewis never fails to impress!!
[www.skysports.com]
Long way off but wrt Esher, if you are not supporting Quins in Toulouse on 16 Jan suggest diary note that Esher (1st - Nat 1) are playing London Scottish (2nd) away at Athletic Grd. If Esher win that one, imo they hv effectively won Nat 1. Will be a huge clash!
Clegg didn't have his best game by a long way but he was OK.
The scrum were fantastic and I must say that Tosh had his best game for a while - great in defence and made good yards too - here's hoping he gets back to his best
Thanks. I'd put the games up to the end of the year in my diary so I'll do the same with next year's. I think me and a mate discussed the match you mention, and I'm sure I'll go along as I won't be in Toulouse that weekend.
He was a bit of a beanpole when he was in Cornwall,but he got stuck in.He was a very popular player.Good to see him getting a chance again at Quins.
England u19 vs Australia schools tomorrow (1st match of 3). So 10-15 mins for him yesterday was enough while Inglis needs match time after long lay off. "Win Win" as they say !
Ashton Croall, Johnston, Cairns and Brooker would look very poor if they got beat at this standard.
Croall, Johnston, Cairns and Brooker are rarely first choice and probably play an average of 20 minutes a week between them for the first XV.
Fair point that they should wipe the floor with U20s though.
Johnston's had how many matches at 1st XV level?
And the likes of Bocca and Baker have had GP games. Bocca's trouble is he isn't very good at all, for which I guess we have to apologise?
