Making only three changes by way of a new front row from the side which drew last week with London Irish, it was obvious that Quins were taking this competition more seriously than in previous years even though international calls and a host of injuries had influenced selection.

Quins started the match at great pace and determined attack and looked as if their intention was to blow their opponents away in the first ten minutes.  Drauninui caught the kick off and made some ground towards the corner before being stopped.  The ball was moved rapidly right where Guest threatened to pierce the defence.  Then an excellent cross-field kick from Clegg just eluded Drauninui with an unkind bounce preventing a certain score.  From a five-metre scrum, Quins had a free kick and again attacked with the ball moving rapidly to the right wing where David Strettle was just prevented from scoring by a tackle that put his feet in touch as he sought to score.

Less than two minutes of the match had elapsed and two fine chances had produced enormous pressure on the visitors and that increased as Robson stole the lineout but Scarlets again managed to clear.  But Quins were immediately back on the attack.  A long pass from Clegg found Drauninui and his excellent offload put David Strettle in to the corner for a try, although a late knee in his back left the winger in agony and a few minutes later removed him from the game with Lowe replacing him.  Clegg’s touchline conversion made the score 7 – 0 in only five minutes.

Despite Quins’ dominance of the early part of the game, Scarlets rallied and began to probe the Quins defence. Clegg missed with a long penalty attempt and his opposite number succeeded with a simpler kick from inside the Quins twenty-two but missed with two further attempts.  Scarlets now were attacking hard and eventually their centre, Maule, went through a gap for a try that Priestland converted to give Scarlets a lead at 7 – 10.

For Quins, defence was now the order of the day as Scarlets pressure was increased and the earlier dynamism was negated.  A yellow card for Tom Guest reduced Quins to fourteen men for the last three minutes of the half and seven minutes of the second half.  By the time he returned, Scarlets had increased their lead as Fenby picked up a ball which was hacked out of a ruck by a Scarlets’ boot and ran in for the visitors’ second try.  Priestland missed with the conversion attempt.

Clegg was successful with a penalty attempt to reduce the deficit to 10 - 15 as Quins went back on the attack.  Then after a quarter hour of the half another cross-field kick from Clegg was brilliantly caught by Tiesi deep in the Scarlets’ twenty-two and the pressure on the Scarlets line tied in the defenders until the ball was moved right to Robson who forced his way over the line.  Clegg failed with the conversion and the scores were level.

Despite having good possession and exerting considerable pressure Quins were unable to add to their score.  With five minutes remaining Clegg had another penalty attempt from about 37 metres but missed.  Twice in the last couple of minutes Scarlets had opportunities from kicks ahead.  Guest winning the race denied the first and with the final touch of the match Stoddart knocked on over the line as he beat Brown to the ball.

Despite Quins’ efforts they lacked penetration and the removal of Strettle at an early stage deprived them of their most potent back.  After the match, Collin Osborne said they were very disappointed with the result. “In the dressing-room you would think we had lost.  In games like this you have to be precise and we were not sufficiently precise.”

The curious format of this competition leaves Harlequins at the bottom of their group table while Scarlets with 2 points head their group!  The competition moves on to Newcastle next week with London Irish and Gloucester to follow in the New Year.

Bookmark or share this story with:

• Digg
• Delicious
• Facebook
• Reddit
• Stumbleupon

Related Articles:

• Fixture change for the Leeds away game
• Some random musings: What's happened this season?

SPORTNETWORK SPECIALS

• Think you know your sport? Click here to try the Sportnetwork Prize Quizzes