By Wyddy
September 13 2012

Battle of the Lego Boys!

After the battering of Oxford Welsh, next up for the league leaders (mockers!) come Sale Sharks. Much was expected of Sale in the pre-season, many pundits tipping them for the top 6 and some even saying they would challenge the top 4. Their opening game became a huge drubbing by a clinical Chiefs side with aspirations of continuing their impressive showing from last season. Exeter throttled the game and put great pressure on the Sale pack, harassing the channels and playing an efficient rather than wide and expressive game, this killed much of Sale’s endeavour in the first half and there seemed no Plan B from Redpaths men.

Against Saracens much the same happened, the scoreline flattered in all reality, buoyed by a breakaway try by Addison. Sale were undone with increasing regularity by that much heralded exciting Saracens play, the kick chase... whatever you say about the tactic, Sarries do execute it remarkably well. Smashing up on the receiver with 3 players opposed to Sale’s 2 and consistently forcing turnover after turnover, which the unerring Hodgson (who has enjoyed a solid start to the season) did not forsake. In fact Chargedown Charlie almost made that most bashful of players, Mr Cipriani, rue his slow kicking on his home debut at Sale’s sparkly new Salford City Stadium, however fair play to Cips he managed to get back and scrag Hodgson before the line... tackling?? Whatever next...

Sale recruited some noteworthy players in the off season, in particular the much lauded jock, Richie Gray. The bullocking Scot looked like he was beginning to find his feet against Sarries, and continued to make the hard yards well into the latter stages of the game, great engine, potentially great player. They’ve also brought in Cameron Shepherd (the Aussie who Saints refused to sign on the grounds of a bad medical) and also popular prop, Eifion Lewis-Roberts. Sale also have the prodigious talents of Rob Miller at fullback, he’s a player who has hurt us in the past, he has an ability to bust through the tackles similar to our very own Mr Nasty. Which brings us to Danny Cipriani, prodigal son? Or flash in the can? His first game and a half for Sale, he hasn’t particularly covered himself in glory and was also very close to an embarrassing charge down which would have reminded everyone of his previous limitations in a white shirt. It’s fair to say Sale are looking to play an expansive game, you only have to look at their recent interest in taking on mastermind Brian Ashton as evidence of this. In Quins they will be playing a team who like to play, this could be their chance to demonstrate the direction they want to be going in...

Quins should be reasonably fresh from the Welsh walkover, no significant injuries seem to have been picked up in the maximum points from two games. Which should indicate a pretty much settled side, although expect some tweeking in the back row. Will Skinner was mysteriously absent from the A league game, which could suggest he may get some game time. If this was the case it would be either Mo or Capt Robshaw to make way. My guess would be on CoS replacing the current with the former captain at some point during the game, but keeping the same unit that punished Wales to start. Guesty carrying on where he left off and hoping that Mo finds some form what with such a delightful target at fullback to run through the channels at!

In the game against Welsh we did seem to take our foot off the pedal at points, almost seeming to be trying to get Ugo his hat-trick at some points. If we play with the same lack of touchline precision against better teams then we will come a cropper. A golden highlight of this was JTH’s glory run in the first couple of minutes – excellent work in getting through a couple of tackles, but with Browny on his outside he hogged and went for one more bust through and was brought down. Fortunately we scored through the Goat only moments later and it wasn’t an issue, but moments like that in other games will be vital. The pack performed admirably against the Welsh Exiles, thoroughly dominating them and great showings from Guesty, Gray and much improved from Robson and Robshaw. The back three showed up a lot better than against the Pests, Monye was a handful all game and Williams continues to impress with his clever play and experience, however man of the match for me was Browny. He buzzed all over the place, always looking to go forward and try and spark something, not to mention getting blatently taken out by Arscott.

Useful showings once again from our subs bench, Easter came on and played very well, he knows he’s got a serious fight on his hands given Tom Guests performances in the past two games – what an excellent problem for us to have. Buchanan continues to impress although he did drop off a tackle you’d expect him to make when Welsh made a rare break. Danny Care came on smouldering with indignation at being dropped for Karl Dickson (once again Dicko played a blinder), look for Care to continue warming the bench this week as his rival for the No9 jersey did nothing wrong against the Welsh. Which brings us to Ben Botica, who came on for his debut in front of the Stoop faithful, he replaced NEv who was given a rapturous applause from the whole ground, everyone keen to let him know how much we appreciate him and want him to stay. Botica looked good, some nice passing out of hand, keen to get involved and then joy of joys he goes and adds his name to the scorers on the day. Could he be the heir apparent? I know a happy go lucky ginger bloke who will be looking to spoil that party...

This could be a real humdinger of a game, Sale keen to play some rugby, and Quins looking to prove that if anyone’s the daddy of the fluid open game in English rugby, it’s the team wearing the quarters...

Quins by 12

COYQ!!!