QUINS LOSE IN HEINEKEN CUP: Harlequins 26 - 33 Scarlets

Harlequins started their Heineken Cup campaign with yet another lost home match as Scarlets held on to win by 26 – 33, a result that leaves Quins with a mountain to climb in the competition.  It was a result too that left Conor O’Shea disappointed and angry at the team’s performance and he was not slow to voice his views.

Both teams set out their stalls earlier with clear indications that quick, running rugby was what they would play. An early break by Hopper gave promise, but his pass to Tom Williams was poor and the ball ended harmlessly in touch.  Lack of accuracy was a major problem for Quins and ultimately led to their downfall.  Passes went astray, a lineout was lost, possession of the ball was lost.

Then a superb attack from Scarlets saw Priestland put Rhodri Williams in for a fine try down the right and the successful conversion gave Scarlets a lead that was never lost as Quins played catch-up.  Scarlets, with their tails up, attacked ferociously, attacking the breakdown in numbers and counter-rucking determinedly.   They forced two penalties that allowed Priestland to improve the score to 0 – 13 before a penalty to Quins as the visitors went offside allowed Evans to open Harlequins’ account as the first quarter ended.

A speculative drop goal attempt from Priestland on the halfway line was fielded by Brown who immediately counter attacked. The ball went from Brown to Care to Tom Williams who was finally stopped a few metres short of the try line by a desperate defender. A couple of minutes later, a delightful cross-field chip from Evans bounced favourably to Easter whose pass to Mike Brown put the full back in for a try.  Evans added the extras and Quins were back in the game at 10 -13 with six minutes of the half remaining..

But as the half neared its final minute, Scott Williams, selling two monstrous dummies, sliced through the Harlequins’ line between Botica and Buchanan and with two runners in support left Danny Care watching helplessly as the try was scored.  The conversion brought the half-time whistle with the score 10 – 20.

The second half started with Quins clearly in more deter, rmined mood  A yellow card for a Scarlets’  prop for reckless use of the boot on Care’s face gave Quins a penalty and put them on the attack again and Nick Evans took the opportunity to score with a drop goal, possibly his first since the famous match winner against Stade Francais.

But the good work was undone by a penalty kicked by Priestland and a knock on by Smith that led to a scrum at which the largely dominant Scarlets’ pack gained another penalty also successfully kicked.   Two successful kicks from Nick Evans had pulled the score back to 19 -  26 When Scarlets struck again. From no real position in the Quins’ ten metre line Jordan Williams was running along the touchline missed by two tacklers to score the visitors’ third try. Priestland converted successfully.

Twelve pulsating minutes remained.  Quins went back into attack penetrating deep into Scarlets’ territory and suddenly there was Mike Brown on an arcing run that produced his second try.  A fine kick from Evans added the conversion points.

A single converted try separated the teams as the clocked moved to the final five minutes. A rolling maul from a lineout went fully twenty-five before being pulled down illegally bringing another yellow card for a Scarlets’ prop.  Quins opted for another lineout rather than a scrum, Thrrough many phases they pressed on the Scarlets’ try line until the ball went left to Paul Sackey but his foot went into touch in the act of scoring leaving the Welsh jubilant and Quins desolate.

Harlequins M Brown; T Williams, M Hopper (C Walker 65), B Botica, S Smith (P Sackey, 52); N Evans, D Care (K Dickson, 52); J Marler, R Buchanan (D Ward, 57), W Collier (K Sinckler 65), G Merrick (T Guest, 54), G Robson, M Fa'asavalu ,(L Wallace, 20), C Robshaw (capt), N Easter.

Scarlets L Williams; K Phillips (S Shingler, 23), J Davies (capt), S Williams, J Williams; R Priestland (G Maule, 70), R Williams (G Davies, 62); P John (R Evans, 70), E Phillips, S Lee (J Adriaanse, 53), J Ball (J Snyman, 62), G Earle, A Shingler (John, 80), J Barclay (Adriaanse, 47-53; C Price, 70), J Turnbull.

Referee J Lacey (Ireland)