After a good first half in which they scored 21 points, the 2nd XV succeeded in permitting their Northampton opponents to reply with 31 unanswered points in the second half and so crashing to a disappointing defeat.

It all began brightly enough with Quins putting good pressure on the Saints defence and spreading the ball wide and providing an early opportunity for Charlie Amesbury which was frustrated by a defending hand knocking the ball away as the final pass went towards the full-back. Further pressure brought a penalty for offside and a further penalty for pulling down the jumper in the ensuing line out. This time Quins produced a good catch and drive which saw them cross the Northampton line and Peter Cook scored the try after only six minutes. Seb Jewell added the points for Quins to lead 7 – 0.

Northampton tried to respond and earned a penalty when Quins pulled down a maul, but Meyler missed with the kick. Quins were defending well and leaving no gaps for their opponents to prey upon. Quins were able to turn over possession in midfield and then gained a penalty for a ruck offence. Then a good attack with a fine run by Keogh and the ball moved quickly back inside saw Chris Robshaw cross to score under the posts and Jewell had an easy conversion to bring the score to 14 – 0 after only fifteen minutes.

Obviously encouraged by their success the backs were running the ball fluently with Keogh and Amesbury prominent in attack. A penalty set up another powerful catch and drive but despite an apparent score, Quins were penalised for obstruction as the maul crossed the line and the try was disallowed!

Quins continued to play good attacking rugby without a lot of penetration and an injury to Jewell brought on a blood replacement, Rory Dament, loaned from Esher. A further good opportunity was wasted when the poorest of final passes by Masson went astray. Injury saw Amesbury replaced by Adam Thompstone.

With five muntes of the half remaining, a yellow card for the Northampton hooker for persistent offside saw Quins call scrums for each of the succession of penalties close to their opponents try-line which followed until referee Roy Maybank finally went under the posts to award the penalty try which had looked inevitable. Quins led 21 – 0 at half-time.

The second half was almost a different match as Northampton upped the pace and went on the attack led by recent rugby league convert Stephen Meyler playing at fly-half. His fine kicking from hand frequently had Quins pinned back in their own twenty-two and it was from one such kick that Northampton fashioned a fine catch and drive which brought them their first try after only nine minutes of the second half. Meyler missed the conversion from wide out but the visitors had made a start.

For much of the time play was barren and inconclusive in midfield with neither side having apparent advantage, save that Quins were increasingly losing momentum as their opponents put the phases together. Meyler was growing increasingly influential and his chip over the defence allowed him to cut through and score under the posts. He added the conversion and Northampton were well back in the game at 21 -12.

It was not long before Richmond, returned from the sin-bin, went over in the corner for the visitors’ third try and with ten minutes remaining the Northampton pack were becoming more dominant as substitutions reduced the efficiency of the Quins’ forwards. A series of scrums close to the Quins’ line saw them wheel a scrum and have a penalty try awarded to the visitors to give them the lead 21 -24.

Now Northampton was rampant and Quins became more ineffective and another converted try saw Northampton clinch the victory by 21 – 31.

NEC Harlequins 2nd XV: 15. Charlie Amesbury, 14. George Harder, 13. Tosh Masson, 12.Mel Deane, 11. Simon Keogh, 10. Seb Jewell, 9. Danny Care, 1. Peter Cook, 2. Aston Croall, 3. Lorne Ward, 4. George Robson, 5. Simon Miall, 6. Chris Robshaw, 7. Luke Sherriff, 8. Tom Guest

Replacements: 16. David Millard, 17. Tani Fuga, 18. James Vail, 19. Phil Burgess, 20. Mike Holding, 21. Adam Thompstone, 22. Rory Dament, 23. Hano Vermaak

Scorers:
Tries: Cook, Robshaw, Penalty
Conversions: Jewell (2), Care

Referee: R. Maybank (RFU)

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