Harlequins lose their 100% home record

Suffering the loss of 3 second row players, Harlequins were forced to start the relatively lightweight combination of Mitch Collins and Luke Nugent at second row. This was in comparison to the very hefty looking pack of Mill Hill. It was evident from the first scrum that Quins' forwards were in for a long game as they were easily pushed backwards. To top the set piece woes, the line out was not functioning very well whilst Mill Hill's looked very slick.

It was scrappy disjointed game, with lots of turn overs for both teams, Quins were the first to strike after getting a penalty in front of the posts, George Jaques slotted the kick to take the lead 3-0.

Almost instantly Quins judged to have infringed in front of their posts so Mill Hill responded in kind, 3-3.

Mill Hill were very lucky not to go down to 14 men, they were penalised for stamping on Mike Watson but yet the ref didn't go to his pocket. Quins finally broke out from the forward arm wrestle and the backs gratefully seized the opportunity as Alec Smail broke through the line then broke with the speed we've soon all season, easily scampered through under the posts, George Jaques scored the conversion, 10-3.

The set piece was a huge problem for Quins, as every scrum or line out won, was put under so much pressure and so much ball was stolen by Mill Hill, penalties won which were numerous through some good defensive work were nullified as resulting line out were often lost.

This was no more evident than in Mill Hill's first try, having won the put in at thee scrum from what looked a certain try for Mill Hill, Quins were pushed off the ball and Mill Hill went blind and scored, the conversion was missed so Quins kept their lead 10-8.

Quins responded shortly after, with George Jaques slotting another penalty 13-8. And that's how the half finished.

Jason Edmunds first game back since his neck injury was having a very strong game, winning two balls from kick off which he had no right to win, and defending like man possessed had one slip up in the game, as a Mill Hill centre picked off a pass to score from the Quins 10m line and take the lead, the conversion was scored, 13-15.

Quins were trying their hand at offloads, but in a game were nothing seemed to go right, there were too many handling errors for Quins to produce any pressure. Mill Hill extended their lead through another penalty kick, 13-18.

With only a few minuted left, Quins turned up the tempo like we know we can, and Mill Hill couldn't cope as Morgan Reece crossed the line in the corner, George Jaques saw a great connection just skim past the posts, 18-18.

With seconds left on the clock, Quins were pinged for not rolling away at the ruck, and so with the last kick of the game Mill Hill scraped it in just inside the post, but it was good enough to break Quins' hearts as they succumbed 18-21.

Though definitely a set back in the league, this should act as a kick up the proverbial, we need to see everyone at training this Thursday so we finish strongly before Christmas