By Bedfordshire Boy
May 24 2015

Set out for the long journey north at 9am knowing that we were now definitely out of the major European tournament next season and that the best final league placing we could achieve was seventh if we could secure a five point win. Considering some of the team performances this season, that position was just about right, certainly a long way off top four. At least the weather was half decent for the drive and we made reasonable time, arriving at The Twin Farms pub at about quarter past one. The pub almost seemed like the members bar at The Stoop there being so many people displaying the Quins colours with the odd song thrown in as well to show that we were all in good voice. 

With only half of the Quins team considered as regular starters this was going to be an interesting match, very much looking forward to seeing Joe Marchant perform in his first start and yet again we were going to have to deliver quick ball from the scrums if we were to avoid being mangled up front. A very blustery day with a swirling wind was going to make things interesting, as would the synthetic surface and a young inexperienced referee, but at least it was dry. 

Falcons on the attack from the kick off and it did not take long for them to notch up their first points, an attempted chip by Nev was charged down leading to a penalty for Falcons who went for touch in the corner, catch, drive, try by Mayhew, all too easy. Conversion missed by Catterick, 5 - 0 after 4 minutes. Quins chance to attack from the kick off, a fine break by Charlie Walker eventually led to a penalty in front of the posts for Quins following Blair playing the ball on the ground. Quins opted for the kick at goal and Nev gave Quins their first points albeit that Danny Care had to steady the ball due to the wind, 5 - 3 after 7 minutes. A clever kick into space from Blair yet again put Quins under pressure with Quins eventually pinged for off side and Catterick accepted the offer of an easy kick in front of the posts, 8 - 3 after 10 minutes. 

Quins coped reasonably well with first scrum with Clifford coming away with the quick ball and Care eventually clearing the ball to touch on the Falcons 10m line. Why did Clifford have 7 on his shirt but playing at 8? Falcons still doing the simple things well keeping Quins under pressure but generally a long period of scrappy play by both sides. Lyndsey-Hague replaced by Tom Williams on 20 minutes, looked as though OLH was throwing up! Falei penalised for a high tackle on Catterick but as far as I could see he grabbed him by the shirt around the collar, a bit harsh in my opinion, but Catterick took the points with a good kick once that he was back on his feet, 11 - 3 after 22 minutes. Quins awarded a penalty in front of the posts from the kick off, three more points by Nev, 11 - 6, 24 minutes. Ball back in the Quins half, a thundering run by Brookes who messed up the pass 10m out, Quins back on the attack leading to a great break by Dave Ward who seemed to put Care away, but just like last week, DC didn`t seem confident to go for the line himself and passed to Talei who eventually lost the ball, a lesson on how to butcher an almost certain try. I very much think that DC is suffering from a lack of confidence, not a good place to be in an RWC year.

Nevertheless Quins stuck to the task in hand and following continuous pressure on the Falcons line, a clever show and go by Evans put him through under the posts, following the simple conversion, 11 - 13 after 30 minutes. Play now back in the Quins half with Falcons pressing, a bit of handbags between Mayhew and James Chisholm which the referee sensibly ignored and Quins eventually cleared the ball with a good break by Walker. Sustained period of pressure by Quins and several penalty calls (worthy of a warning perhaps) eventually led to an easy penalty by Evans right on 40 minutes, 11 - 16. 

Second half kicked off in sunshine and both sides were still looking lively. Big cheer from the Quins fans on 45 minutes when Ward put Clifford in for a well taken try from 30 m out but TV replay clearly showed a forward pass. Alex Rogers on for Brooks for Falcons, really good to see him on a rugby pitch again following his injury strewn period at Quins. Catterick completely messed up a high kick from Evans but the ball bounced straight into his hands after which he set off on a 40m run, the attack finally dying out 5m out from the Quins line following a knock on. George Merrick off and replaced by Sam Twomey. Quins unable to to clear the ball with Falcons finally scoring through Lawson following another catch and drive, extras provided by Catterick, 18 - 16 after 52 minutes. A sustained period now from Quins led to a superb try by Marland Yarde, how did he get through that defence? Kick missed by Evans, 18 - 21 after 56 minutes. Talei replaced by Trayfoot, a period of scrappy play again by both sides and Mike Blair scored an opportunists try under the posts with Catterick yet again adding the extra points, 25 - 21 with 62 minutes gone.

Bit of a problem keeping up with the substitutions at this stage, noticed that Buchanan on with Ward moving to the back row, and Botica on for Williams with Evans moving to fullback. Mike Blair replaced and left the field to a good reception from the home crowd, this being his last game for the club before his move to Glasgow Warriors. All getting a bit frantic by Quins, trying a bit too hard to force things with Falcons just doing the simple things. Well taken try by Powell on 72 minutes who found a gap, just a suggestion of blocking perhaps but the referee happy enough. Additional points added by Catterick, 32 - 21, Falcons now opened up a significant gap. Clifford off holding his arm and Dickson replaced Care, Quins now looking completely disjointed with Falcons keeping Quins pinned in the Quins 22. With the result in no doubt, Quins continue to try to run the ball out of the 22 and eventually paid the price when Saul went in for a try. Tuilagi given the chance with the conversion which he duly missed, final score 37 - 21. Man Of The Match, Mike Blair, attendance 7014. 

Falcons had the better of the game although the final score was a bit flattering. Another frustrating performance by Quins although there have been definite signs of getting their off loading game going again as well as managing to break through the oppositions line in the last three matches. Good games yet again by Clifford (reminds me so much of Nick Easter), Ward and Yarde who must have now booked himself a slot in the initial England RWC squad, and a solid performance by Marchant. Thought the referee had a good match too. Had a long chat with several Falcons fans who were all appreciative of the Quins fans making the log trip as well as the level of the support. 

All in all, an enjoyable trip, despite the disappointing result and the 480 mile round trip and we now have the long wait until mid October for the new season to begin with a little matter of the 2015 RWC in between.