By Rodders
March 27 2012

…. But a win is a win and denying a feisty Bath side a losing bonus point was reminiscent of so many situations Quins have experienced in the past. Trying hard, but falling short - been there done that!

It so nice NOT to be reporting on what might have happened.

I don’t think I imagined when I volunteered to write this report back in September that Quins would have been top of the table all season.

I thought the game would have been closer and although the score line seems close it seemed bigger on the day.

… But sadly, the quality of the spectacle was not in keeping with quality of the day.

A beautiful early spring day seemed designed for a classical open running game – but we didn’t get what we hoped for.

Bath had obviously done a good job of analysing our strengths and weaknesses (what weaknesses we would say (wouldn’t we))

Bath worked very successfully in the first half at closing the game down and denying us ball.

In that fragmented first half Bath seemed to have the greater share of ball and territory.

However, Quins defence was up to the task of keeping a determined Bath out; indeed both teams had a dogged defence that added to the muscle show.

However, in the second half Bath finally weakened, made more mistakes and Quins strengths began to show.

It's par for the course that a weaker side will try to disrupt and deny possession when they can – and so it was.

Bath were more successful in the first half, both in possession and territory but that fragmented first half got very tedious; that Bath finally ran out of steam in the last 20 minutes was to be anticipated and all credit to Quins for maintaining their shape and patience.

At this point, and I will say this only once – we saw too much of Mr Barnes –I don’t believe it affected the result of the game, but his game highlighted the issue of celebrity refs – like little boys, they should be seen and not heard. It’s a 30-man game not a 31-man game.

With NeV deciding to keep the cognoscenti on their toes and doing his best, successfully, to miss the two easy kicks (is he doing it on purpose?) and slotting the difficult touchline kicks, we were kept nail bound if not spellbound.

Ball in hand Quins looked as good as ever, although by trying too hard created we created too many errors.

Quins real strength remains within the team. They are a consumate team – picking out individuals in this type of game is invidious. Whether it be Mike Brown or Ugos try saving tackles. Mo’s dynamism or Tom’s, briefly twinkling toes, this game was won by the team ethic.

Bath tried hard in every area but made too many unforced errors and their overall team game fell short.

The yellow cards were par for the course in such an attrition game and I didn’t see any of them as having any intent.

Tom Heathcote was certainly shaken up.

Mo doesn’t have a record of violent play and Tom Heathcote got caught with a classical man and ball tackle; a very physical well-timed tackle.

Cuthbert as a replacement for nickA, did Bath no favours.

Missing two easy kicks, but was very unlucky, to be sent off.

The tackle on MikeB seemed well timed and legal.

A Bath win would have been undeserved, but to go home with no losing bonus point was hard.

I didn’t much enjoy the game, but that was maybe down to expectation rather than the game itself.

It was a bit of a rumble in the jungle that on a cold dark muddy November day would have been expected, but not on the first tropical day of the year.

BUT I don’t think we will get away with such lackadaisical play next week – but that is for someone else to report on.

Today's  Quins win was a fair result.

PS I recommend the Old Trip ;-))