By AlanQuin
November 10 2004

Those who came to The Stoop expecting to see the sort of free-running try-scoring performance which followers of the Zurich A League Champions have come to regard as normal, will have gone home disappointed. 

What they got instead was an error strewn, low scoring, poor game which resulted in a narrow victory for Quins by 8 points to 6 points.

Saracens had brought a more experienced team than that demolished by Quins at their ground earlier in the season and they were well directed by the Fijian international, Nicky Little, who while nominally playing centre was more frequently at fly-half.

Quins started brightly enough with a free flowing attack with good handling and ball retention giving promise of things to come.  A knock-on snuffed out the attack and possession was lost.  Saracens counter-attacked and began to press until after about seven minutes play they were awarded a penalty for offside which allowed Russell to open the scoring. 0 – 3.

Saracens increased the pressure spending long periods in the Quins half looking dangerous but not able to break through, being as guilty as Quins of unforced errors.  A box kick was not dealt with by the Saracens’ full-back and Henry Barratt kicked through towards the line and a second time over the line for him to score a simple try.  Jarvis failed narrowly with the conversion and Quins led 5- 3.

Shortly after, Jarvis missed an easy penalty kick from the 22 metre line in front of the posts  but succeeded with his next attempt a few minutes later so that Quins led 8 – 3 as the half-hour approached.  Maling was then replaced by Palepoi, clearly with Friday night in mind.

Saracens spent the last ten minutes of the half in Quins’ territory bringing great pressure through a series of rolling mauls which on more than one occasion were adjudged to have been pulled down.  Saracens chose to kick for the corner but knocked on in the subsequent line-out.  From the resulting scrum, Duncan James made one of his rare errors and was caught in possession at the base of the scrum. Another penalty led to another line-out and a yellow card for Karl Rudski.  Despite the pressure Quins were able to hold out until the half came to an end.

But as the players were leaving the field, they were recalled.  The touch judge had seen an off the ball incident.  The referee had not seen the flag.  The players returned and the penalty awarded to Saracens had to be taken.  Russell missed and the players trooped off.

The second half continued the pattern of the first half with both sides pressing but seeing their efforts brought to nothing by turnovers, handling errors and poor passes until after 13 minutes into the half, a penalty for offside was successfully kicked by Russell to bring the score to 8 – 6. 

There was no further scoring on either side in the remaining half-hour of the match.  Jarvis had the chance to increase the lead from another penalty but missed with the kick.  Both sides had further chances from penalties put into the corners but both teams squandered the subsequent line-outs allowing pressure to be relieved. 

It was clear that there was some frustration  building on the part of Quins.  Even when losing the previous week they had scored three tries.  The frustration seemed to have had its greatest effect upon Andy Dunne. He now started to run the ball in all directions and set up two fine try-scoring opportunities for Guest and James respectively both of which were stopped just short of the line.  However, Quins were prevented by stout defence and their own errors from adding points.

Quins were now playing almost totally in the Saracens’ half without being able to add to the score and in almost the final act a cross kick by Jarvis intended for the right wing did not reach the target and the final whistle brought a scrappy game to an end.

Quins can take comfort from the fact that they won, but the spark which used to infuse their play needs to be rekindled.  Surely the promotion of Sherriff, Winters and Williams cannot have caused this slump in their play.

 NEC Harlequins XV: 15. Andy Dunne, 14. Henry Barratt, 13. Tosh Masson, 12. Andy Reay, 11. Joe Mbu, 10. Adrian Jarvis, 9. Duncan James, 1. Tom Muggridge, 2. James Hayter, 3. Jon Dawson, 4. Karl Rudzki, 5. Simon Maling, 6. Maama Molitika, 7. Chris Cracknell, 8. Kai Horstmann
Replacements: 16. Cameron Dott, 17. Mark Abel, 18. Opeta Palepoi, 19. Tom Guest, 20. Steven Jay, 21. Mel Deane, 22. Mike Brown
Scorers:
Try: Barratt
Penalty: Jarvis

Saracens XV: 15. Adam Powell, 14. Craig Wilson, 13. Kevin Sorrell, 12. Nicky Little, 11. Andy Edwards, 10. Ben J Russell, 9. Joe Bedford, 1. Aston Croall, 2. Andy Kyriacou, 3. Aaron Liffchak, 4. Matt Lane, 5. Tom Cox, 6. Ben T Russell, 7. Tom Lawy, 8. Steffon Armitage
Replacements: 16. Stuart Philpott, 17. Ben Wickens, 18. Sam Johnson, 19. Paul Carol, 20. Gubby Joshi, 21. Jon McDonough, 22. Simon Gibbs
Scorers:
Penalty: Russell (2)