By DOK
August 20 2012

Well, let’s paint the picture shall we? Blazing hot day and perfect weather for summer rugby. A summer friendly against a local team? Perfect!

The hot weather always looked like it was going to be a hard 80 minutes for the players, but at least they had water breaks around the 20 minutes mark. For the spectator though, the weather was perfect if you could just find a bit of breeze and were out the sun! Lovely!

Quick plug! Have you seen the new curry tent that was situated in the South West corner? Lovely balti chicken for about £6. They’re intending to be there all season so do give them a go. Of course it’s a bit pricey, but it was good curry! Nice to know if the queues for the hog roast are long that there’s something edible inside the ground!

Anyway, fortified with curry I rocked up into the South Stand to watch the London Scottish game. It was clear from the outset that our offloading game was continuing on from the previous season. Although there were the occasional fumbles, dropped balls and Hail Mary passes Harlequins clearly had the game to put London Scottish (LS) under pressure. 

Harlequins were soon back in the LS 22 and set up a nice rolling maul (thank you, John Kingston!) . With LS going backwards, Daryll Marfo dived over and was awarded the try. Rory Clegg again converted

Harlequins then gave away a penalty that LS kicked for touch. They drove the linout, and though our defence scrambled well initially, LS found a gap and Willie Lipp forced his way through two defenders for a well taken try.

Stung into action by this, Harlequins were soon back pressuring LS and scrum half Henry Taylor took a typical scrum half try (meaning he should have passed it). Instead he backed himself, and with a quick burst of pace found a gap and placed the ball between the posts. Rory Clegg again converted.

With Harlequins cruising nicely, they were back pressuring the LS line in no time, and this time Darryl Marfo dived over for his second try. Let me be very clear on this, he did not drop it despite what it looked like to several LS players who were near.

Half time score Harlequins 28 London Scottish 7.

So half time came and went, and under a blazing hot sun Harlequins then proceeded to go to sleep. In the opening 10 minutes we hardly threatened the LS 22, let alone the try line! LS took advantage and with 17 minutes gone forced their way over after some sustained pressure, try by Chevvy Pennycook. Converted.

Another try swiftly followed scored by Jamie Stevenson, again converted and Harlequins were still in the deck chairs at the beach. LS realised they were only two scores behind and decided to throw the kitchen sink at it. More pressure on Harlequins 5m line led to a penalty. From the resulting scrum Jamie Stevenson ran in a second (converted) and it was all looking a bit rocky with Harlequins 28 London Scottish 21 and 16 minutes to go on the clock.

At this point Harlequins decided to put away the buckets and spades and get back to work. Jordan Burns ran in a nice try with 14 minutes left. This was converted by Ben Botica, Rory Clegg having gone off following a belt on the nose and a cut under the eye which required a few stitches.

Then with 12 minutes gone Charlie Mathews finished off a move he started and LS had no way back. Botica converted (he looks a good kicker). With both teams tiring in the heat the remainder of the match offered no clear chances and there were a number of injury stoppages.

The match finished Harlequins 42 London Scottish 21. LS may have deserved more for their spirited comeback, but it was good to see Harlequins able to go back in and pick up the pace to get the job done.