By AlanQuin
February 8 2011

A game that Conor O’Shea had categorised as “a must win” game was duly efficiently and effectively won by Harlequins who inflicted their first ever defeat of Cardiff Blues by 23 points to 7 points. The result ensured that Quins were the top seed of the qualifiers for the LV= Cup semi-finals and therefore will have a home tie against Newcastle Falcons.

The score perhaps is an unfair reflection of the match which saw Quins defending for long periods of the game, yet able to prevent the visitors from scoring again after their try in the seventh minute of the first half.  Cardiff had started the game at great pace hoping to catch Quins on the back foot.  For the first ten minutes they kept play in the Harlequins’ half of the field and attacked both before and after their try.

Then, as they attacked, Cardiff conceded a penalty, quickly taken by Dickson with the forwards in support took play almost to the line. Another penalty against the visitors and this time Quins opted for a scrum, spurning the easy three points.  From the base of the scrum, Dickson threw a long pass left to Evans and the fly-half went through the smallest of gaps to score and in due course to level the scores.

Both sides continued to play with ball in hand and there was comparatively little kicking as both teams kept possession and tried to put width on the game.  Then following a lineout Cardiff went offside on their twenty-two giving Nick Evans a simple three points to put Quins into the lead after twenty minutes.

Then Dickson took another quick tap penalty and made a good break on the left and there was Sam Smith in support inside to run in a full fifty metres under the posts for the second try.  Evans added the extras and Quins led 17 – 7.  That, despite the almost desperate and frenzied attacks from Cardiff that followed and the pressure they created, remained the score at the interval.  Cardiff almost scored at the very end but the attack was held up over the line by excellent defence.

Cardiff started the second half with pace and determination and an excellent kick from Sweeney took play to a lineout five metres from the Quins line. Quins defended valiantly but gave away a penalty and the visitors opted for a five metre scrum in front of the posts. Despite Cardiff’s best efforts they lost control of the ball at the base of the scrum and Dickson stole the ball and a penalty against the visitors allowed Quins to relieve the pressure.

The coaches faith in their young players was amply demonstrated when the replacements began. Clegg replaced Chisholm with Evans going to full back and Joe Trayfoot replaced York.  Cardiff, too, threw in reserves in an attempt to retrieve the situation which was becoming more unlikely as Evans added another two penalties to extend the lead to three scores at 23 – 7.  The Quins’ defence was excellent and Browne and Fa’asavalu appeared to be everywhere in the battle. 

Cardiff continued to attack and only a fine try-saving tackle from Trayfoot that put the winger into touch as he crossed the line prevented a try.  This was a fine team effort and Harlequins’ ninth successive victory in all competitions.

After the match, Conor O’Shea was full of praise for his team as despite the absence of the England and Saxons they had overcome a strong and experienced Cardiff team saying  "I'm really, really proud of them. We had a lot of young fellows out there against an experienced Cardiff side and we trusted the young guys. We had to defend a lot in the second half but our guys worked their proverbials off to help each other out. But when we turned the ball over we were really sharp

Harlequins: Chisholm, S. Smith, Lowe, Casson, Camacho, Evans, Dickson, Jones, Brooker, Andress, Stevenson, Browne, Fa'asavalu, Skinner, York.
Replacements: Clegg for Chisholm (55), Urdapilleta for Casson (34), Moore for Dickson (75), Cairns for Brooker (52), Collier for Andress (61), Kohn for Stevenson (67), Trayfoot for York (55).

Cardiff Blues: Czekaj, Mustoe, Laulala, Hewitt, James, Sweeney, Slater, T. Davies, G. Williams, Filise, Griffiths, Tito, Pretorius, Navidi, Brown, Trevett.
Replacements: Evans for Laulala (4), Fish for Hewitt (67), Downes for Slater (54), Trevett for T. Davies (13), Thomas for G. Williams (61), White for Navidi (47), Molitika for Brown (51), Hobbs for Trevett (51).

Att: 8,723

Referee: David Rose (RFU).