By AlanQuin
September 28 2010

Harlequins A lost a fast, entertaining match to London Irish A by 23 – 25 as the visitors scored a try in the final minute of the game to snatch victory. It was a match played with pace and physicality and the young Harlequins side playing the more enterprising and attacking rugby.

The Exiles are never easy opponents at any level and a good penalty kick from Malone took play deep into the Quins twenty –two.  A catch and drive from the lineout produced the first try.  Malone missed the conversion. 

In response Quins mounted a series of attacks but unforced errors ended them and possession was lost too often.  Then a fine run from Sam Smith took play back into the visitors’ half and in the ensuing pressure Irish went offside in front of the posts and Clegg’s kick opened Quins’ account.

Quins continued to attack and a fine run which should have produced a try was held up over the line.  Then a penalty allowed Quins to kick for an attacking lineout.  From the ruck which formed as Irish resisted the catch and drive Dickson passed the ball to the unprotected blind side for Ollie Lindsay-Hague to dive over in the corner for the try. Clegg converted from the touchline.

Another good penalty kick from Clegg increased the lead to 13 – 5 and Quins pressure kept play in Irish territory until a sudden break away allowed them to score their second try.  Once again, to the good-natured jeering reserved for former Quins, Malone’s conversion attempt failed.

The score at half time was 13 – 10.

The second half began with both teams showing determination to attack but the frequency of the referee’s whistle for penalties punctuated the play.  After ten minutes, after the referee had called back a quickly tapped penalty which could well have brought a try, Clegg opted for a kick at goal from the half way line and increased the lead to 16 -10,

But now the pendulum swung back and although Malone missed with a penalty kick, so too did Clegg.  Then an intercepted pass on Quins’ right allowed the Irish winger to sprint away 60 metres to score under the posts and Malone converted to give Irish the lead at 16 – 17.

As time began to wind down towards the end of the match, Clegg missed with two more penalty attempts and Malone succeeded with a kick from over 40 metres to increase the visitors’ lead.

Then with five minutes remaining, a Quins’ forward ripped the ball from an opponent in a tackle and a swift series of passes to the left as Quins attacked found Sam Smith who crossed for a well-worked try.  Clegg converted and Quins led by 23 – 20.

Irish responded with commendable power putting the Quins’ defence under pressure which it was not able to withstand and an overlap created on the right allowed the winger, Yarde, to score the winning try.  Malone again missed the conversion but the game was over and Irish had a win and a bonus point while Quins had only a losing bonus for consolation.

London Irish now lead the table with three wins and 13 points. Quins are second on 10 points.