Nailed It!

By MG
January 15 2022

Another momentous win and another nail-biting last-ditch battle for a Quins side which just doesn't know when to give in. Marcus Smith took the headlines with his last second penalty which earned the 36-33 win at the semi-deserted Arms Park - we were in a country, of course, where no partying is strictly observed.

There were people in the clubhouse which was odd but not the intimidating atmosphere you would expect. 

As a result we started very well with Smith chipping in for Louis Lynagh to cross and were 7-0 up and looking very sharp. Cardiff showed their power with Lane striding through the tackle tro go over and then went ahead with some more powerful running to send Ratti over. Quins looking a little abashed at this stage.

However, we girded our loins and forced penalties from the home defence which resulted in prop Dmitri Arhip going off for a ten minute breather.

When he came back his side had shipped 12 points. Tyrone Green on the end of a kick and after the restart a Danny Care effort was chalked off by the TMO for offside,  but we got the score we deserved with Dombrandt sending Luke Northmore in.

Dombrandt was then yellow carded -  followed by a try for Cardiff prop Lewis. Laner then got  a second again after taking a kick - on TV looked it looked like he was offiside but the TMO decided not.

Our backs were well and truly against the wall when the rejuvenated home side  burst through with some excellent handling finished off by prop Domachowski.

With Dombrandt restored we set about making up the 19 lost points. Danny Care was the man to get the ball rolling with an excellent snipe and our cause was helped by another yellow this time for Cardiff hooker Kirby Myhil.

Quins were withing a converted try of levelling and it was time fro Mr Smith to do his magic - his footwork taking him to the line where three defenders could not stop him just being able to touch down on the whitewash.

The con levelled things and an annoyed home side who came battling back - Quins defending on their 22r 22 knowing any mistake would give Cardiff a  match winning penaltly.

But we held out without dismeanour and were able to clear the ball downfield where Priestland and Adams decided not to settle for the honourable draw. Instead, they tried to ruin ther ball back but Quins were quickly there and the penalty decision went our way. Almosty in front of the posts, just outsidethe 22.  Phew.