By AlanQuin
November 1 2011

In the first match of an abbreviated A League season, presumably another casualty of the All Black adulation known as Rugby World Cup, Saracens Storm defeated Harlequins A XV at St Albans by 21 points to 16.

This was an entertaining match between two sides who tried to play with great pace. But in the end Saracens with several experienced first tem players were the more physical side, dominating both scrum and breakdown and creating the pressure that produced two push over tries and a third from a turnover close to the try-line.

This was also a match where the referee’s whistle sounded almost as many times as there were tackles and the great majority of the penalties went to the home side.  That is not how it started, however, because the very first penalty given within 45 seconds of the start went to Quins. Clegg duly took the points.

Although Quins started at pace, it took a few minutes for their opponents to respond, but before long both sides were running hard.  Penalties continued to flow.  Fortunately Nils Mordt is not a natural kicking fly-half and having missed touch with one penalty he had a second much easier chance at goal and levelled the score.  Clegg took another three points from yet another penalty and after thirteen minutes Quins led 3 – 6.

A penalty allowed Saracens to set up an attacking lineout and a position to catch and drive. The first drive was halted and effectively pulled down, but restarted and successfully completed for a try.  The conversion was missed.

Quins went back on the attack and an excellent cross field run by Charlie Walker passed to Tom Williams who straightened the attack and broke through the defensive line with  Ben Urdapilleta on his inside in support for the latter to touch down for a fine try.  Clegg added the extras and Quins led 8 – 13 after 21 minutes.

Almost immediately a series of penalties, getting ever nearer to the Quins’ posts eventually allowed Mordt to reduce the arrears.  Yet further penalties and a yellow card for the Quins lock, George Merrick, produced another catch and drive from an attacking line-out and inevitably another try. The conversion was missed but Saracens led 16 – 13. 

Saracens tried to repeat the manoeuvre from yet another penalty but were successfully resisted and the first half ended without further score.

The opening of the second half was more of the same.  The whistle sounded frequently penalising Harlequins and the subsequent penalties allowed Saracens to build pressure on the Quins’ line.  When the ball, on a turnover and probably illegally, squirted out of a breakdown five metres from the try line and a similar distance from touch into Saracen hands, Quins were powerless to prevent a third try. Mordt continued to miss with conversion attempts but Saracens had regained the lead  at 21 – 13.

Despite valiant efforts Quins were unable to break through the physical defence of the home team which continued to dominate at the breakdown. Clegg was substituted and Urdapilleta took over kicking duties and took the opportunity to kick a penalty successfully, narrowing the lead and ensuring a losing bonus point.  There was some relief from Saracen pressure when a yellow card reduced Saracens to fourteen men and allowed Quins’ forwards to begin to exert significant pressure and territorial gain of their own.  With time running out Quins threw everything onto attack and with almost the final move of the game Mantella was forced into touch as he sought to ground the potentially winning try.