Harlequins Avenge the Pros to Record First League Win

Two weeks ago Saracens hammered Harlequins at The Stoop 39-0, it was no the turn of the Amateurs to restore some pride. Quins were met at Broom Road by a confident looking Saracens team disembarking their coach, a sight not usually associated with Herts/Middlesex 2. But fielding a strong side the confidence in the Quins side was also high.

The game started quickly with Quins starting well, gaining possession and territory early on. The pressure told as Saracens conceded a penalty which George Jaques gratefully scored to take and early lead 3-0.

Quins continued their strong start and gaining momentum in the early stages, another penalty saw the captain Dave Love turn down the points and signal to the corner, a good kick from George saw Quins with an attacking line out 5m out. A ball that went to the very back of the line out and then out to backs chomping at the bit to get the ball. Jason Edmunds collected the ball from Paul Hibbert to see George running a hard line into a flapping arm tackle, which he broke in normal style to score under the posts. Adding his own extras the score was 10-0.

Wary of what happened last week after opening up an early lead, it seemed Quins hadn't learned their lesson, conceding a penalty 20m out the Saracens kicker missed, but on gathering the 22 drop out Quins once again conceded, this time Saracens making no mistake, 3-10.

Annoyed with themselves for their lack of discipline (even when Woody wasn't playing) Quins looked to set up in Saracens half as before. Some good phase play and retaining the ball well Quins found themselves with a 5m scrum, a back of the scrum move straight off the training ground saw Paul Hibbert feed Tom Samuel as he crashed over from short range. George added the extras with a difficult kick. 17-3.

Saracens hit back through some woeful tackling and poor positional play. two tries, one converted one not. 17-15. From the restart Quins managed to run nearly the length of the pitch with Mike Lovelock being forced into touch inside Saracens 22. From here Quins put the pressure back on, with Dave Love and Simon Rowland being brought up short, but from the resulting pressure, Mike Lovelock finished what he had started and forced his away over the line. George added the conversion for Quins to lead at half time 24-15.

The first half very similar to last week, but Quins were determined not to end up with the same outcome, started the second half brightly again. Pressure from the forwards so some space outside which allowed Alec Smail to burst through two tackles to touch down for his first try, George again peerless from the tee added the the 2 points as Quins stretched their lead and secured the bonus point, 31-15.

Saracens' heads didn't go down and kept fighting which is a testament to them, they scored a converted try to reduce the lead to 9. 31-22.

This time Saracens were the ones conceding the penalties from some good phase play by Quins, George kept kicking to touch to gain valuable territory. From a lineout the birthday boy Luke Povey crashed the ball up from full back, despite having two men on him he managed to get the ball back to Alec Smail who easily outpaced the Saracens wing to score his brace. George added the extras, 38-22.

With a few minutes to go and the victory secured Quins started to relax, something that I'm sure won't happen again, as a Saracens team hunting for a losing bonus point dragged the Quins defence in close and spun wide for their full back to score, the conversion was good and the final whistle went 38-29.

This match was Harlequins first victory in the RFU leagues for about 2 and half years and announces to the rest of the league that they here to challenge to top teams.

We have a 1 week break from league rugby but are trying to arrange a friendly match to work on our match day fitness and processes, so please give your availability from Thursday and Saturday as ususal.

Man of the Match: Mike Lovelock
D**K of the Day: George Jaques