Harlequins
WINNING POST?: London Wasps 15 - 16 Harlequins
By Alanquin
September 8 2013
Harlequins started the new season with a win over London Wasps by a single point, 15 – 16, saved from defeat by a similar margin by the thickness of the left-hand post, struck by Andy Goode’s conversion attempt with the final kick of the match.
There were concerns in the thoughts of Harlequin supporters. Would the scrum cope with the loss of Kohn and Johnston? What would be the effect of the new scrum laws? In the event the Quins forwards more than held their own and for much of the second half denied Wasps possession on their own ball at both scrum and lineout.
But the start was less than stellar as Wasps retained possession from the kick off and mounted a determined attack ending with a superb offload that put Launchbury in for the first try inside the first minute. Goode’s conversion extended the lead to 7 – 0. Quins’ response was to attack and they forced a five metre scrum when Simpson was caught trying to play in his in-goal area but the scrum was wasted by an early shove and the danger cleared.
Two penalties against Wasps soon followed and with twelve minutes elapsed Nick Evans kicked the penalty goal to narrow the score. But immediately, rather harshly, Harlequins were penalised for obstruction at the restart and Goode restored the seven point lead for Wasps,
Evans had two more unsuccessful attempts at goal and Goode, too, missed once. Then with the interval rapidly approaching Wasps mounted an attack and put Varndell on what seemed a try scoring run along his wing. It took a fantastic try saving tackle by George Lowe to put his opponent into touch and snuff out the danger.
The interval arrived without further addition to the score of 10 – 3. Little illumination was cast on the new scrum laws with many offences penalised with free kicks or full penalties and many scrum re-sets. The benefit of the changes was not apparent.
The second half began with promise of better things as Danny Care set off on yet another dangerous run, but the ball was lost at the breakdown. Then a scrum, from a crooked lineout, produced a free kick and Quins opted for another scrum and this time they were rewarded with a penalty. Evans made no mistake with the kick from over 40 metres and repeated his success three minutes later so that the score was 10 – 9 after ten minutes of the second half.
To emphasise what was becoming clear forward dominance, Harlequins replaced their whole front row. The next scrum produced another penalty and this time Evans found an excellent touch in the Wasps’ twenty-two, but the lineout throw was not straight. Gradually Quins were establishing command of the play, but Wasps defended with skill and determination.
Three good attacking scrums from Quins were defended and Quins were battering at the door for a score that came, eventually, when Karl Dickson dummied through a gap to touch down behind the posts. Evans added the simple conversion and Quins led for the first time in the match, 10 - 16 with eight minutes remaining.
Wasps now began a frenzied series of attacks looking for the converted try needed for victory. Twice they declined kicks at goal from simple penalties looking for the winning score. Eventually the try came, from Tom Palmer, in the left corner when time had run out. Andy Goode’s conversion attempt hit the post and rebounded leaving Harlequins winners by a single point.
After the match Conor O’Shea was quite sanguine about the game saying “I am delighted with the result. It is an away win. We will play a lot better and lose games and a lot worse and win.”
Wasps A Masi; C Wade, B Jacobs, C Hayter (T Bell, 79), T Varndell; A Goode, J Simpson (C Davies, 64); M Mullan (S McIntyre, 69), T Lindsay (N Cochrane, 72), J Cooper-Woolley (W Taylor, 57), J Launchbury (J Cannon, 60-64), T Palmer, S Jones (capt), G Thompson (A Johnson, 55), E Jackson.
Harlequins M Brown; P Sackey, G Lowe, J Turner-Hall, U Monye; N Evans (B Botica, 79), D Care (K Dickson, 60); J Marler (M Lambert, 52), J Gray (R Buchanan, 52), W Collier (P Doran-Jones, 52), G Merrick (T Guest, 60), G Robson, L Wallace (M Fa'asavalu, 55), C Robshaw (capt), N Easter.
Referee T Wigglesworth (Yorkshire). Attendance: 62,537
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