Harlequins
A League: Harlequins A 36-26 Gloucester A
By AlanQuin
September 14 2010
With four tries in the first half, the bonus point secured and a lead of 22 – 7 at the interval, Quins should have romped home to victory. Instead, despite Quins adding a fifth try as the game neared its final quarter, Gloucester were permitted to score three more tries as Harlequins held on to win 36 – 26.
Harlequins were immediately on attack from the start as they controlled the first lineout, tapped two quick penalties and then moved the ball rapidly left to create an overlap for Chisholm to score the try. Clegg added the conversion from the touchline as the second minute of the match ended.
Just a few short minutes later, having easily resisted a Gloucester counter-attack, a flowing move started by Clegg saw the ball passed fast and flat to Sam Smith, back inside to Ollie Smith and finally out again to Chris York for the try. The conversion attempt failed, but after only ten minutes Quins led 12 – 0.
Quins were having the bulk of possession and the visitors were under constant pressure from Quins attacking intentions. A penalty at a scrum allowed Rory Clegg to add to the score and then another determined, flowing attack with the ball being passed rapidly, offloaded in the tackle found Camacho on the wing crossing in the corned and able to run round and touch down between the posts. Clegg added the simple conversion and the lead was 22 – 0.
As the half drew towards its end, Gloucester mounted their first real pressure on the Harlequins line and Henry Trinder found a gap in the defensive line to score under the posts. Mills converted an the visitors were on the score sheet.. There was, however, time for the restart and from it Quins set up a ruck inside the Gloucester half. When the ball squirted loose Camacho gathered it and ran in his second try virtually unopposed. Clegg added another excellent conversion and Quins led at half-0time 29 -7 with a bonus point safely acquired.
Quins continued in the early part of the second half as they had in the first half. Clegg missed with a penalty attempt. An excellent attack which started with a fine break from Chisholm was stopped a couple of metres from the left corner as Sam Smith was tackled into touch and finally another good attack found Chisholm crossing for Quins fifth try and Clegg added the two points for a 36 – 7 lead with just about twenty-five minutes remaining.
From there it all began to go wrong for Quins. Whether it was the disruption caused by the plethora of substitutions or complacency because of the score or tiredness because of the physicality and pace of the game is difficult to say. But Johnny May was allowed to run pas four defenders to score under the posts. Thereafter Gloucester mounted attack after attack and Quins were held back in their twenty-two.
With only a few minutes remaining, a penalty allowed the visitors to set up a lineout deep in Quins’ twenty two and an irresistible catch and drive brought the try which was duly converted. But Gloucester were not done yet and a massive up and under was not caught by the defence but knocked on. From the ensuing scrum the pressure on the Quins line eventually brought another try. The missed conversion was the final kick of the match.
Other results last night: Exeter United 23 – 25 Saracens, London Irish 30 – 22 London Wasps.
Harlequins continue to top the table with 9 points from London Irish who have 8 points and are Harlequins next opponents on 27th September at The Stoop.
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the passing that led to the second try was fantastic. think it was sam smith's inside ball to ollie smith that particularly caught the eye
clegg's kicking was impressive too
Quote:PinguThePenQuin wears no.13
Lots of A teams with names (united mostly). Would Quins get more bums on seats in A games if they "rebranded" the second string? If so what should they be called? The Jesters?
Historically the 2nd XV were called the Wanderers
Nunquam Dormio
Nunquam Dormio
The game's afoot;
Follow your spirit: and upon this charge,
Cry — God for Harry! England and Saint George
The Club I played for had 8 Adult sides and each one had its own identity. Stags, Antlers, Stiffs, etc
The game's afoot;
Follow your spirit: and upon this charge,
Cry — God for Harry! England and Saint George
The camberley Vets were more conservatively named 'The gin and tonics'...much more high brow.
Sorry for going OT.
prof, agree, wonderful slight of hand and a relief to see ollie smith catch it!
Don't mind paying £5 if I get a printed ticket instead of just handing over my cash to some random 'steward' with a fist of fivers.
Always up for a pie and a pint at the Stoop and a choice of seats, heaven!!! Better than a crowded Saturday especially if we play like this!!!
O Fortuna, velut luna statu variabilis,
semper crescis aut decrescis
