Wasps Defeated In A League Mud Bath
By AlanQuin
January 17 2006
On a pitch which was wet and muddy and had most of the characteristics of a skating rink, Harlequins A team beat Wasps A by 12 points to 17 with Tosh Masson running in an injury time try from almost half-way.
The Wasps team looked, on paper, to be a strong one with Fraser Waters, Justin Va’a and Ben Gotting in the pack and Thom Evans and Dan Cipriani in the backs. By contrast Quins had a number of players on loan from Esher and an unknown half-back combination of Mike Marsh, a scrum half from Esher, and Gregg Callow, a fly half said to be on trial at the club. There was, however, the considerable presence of Tony Diprose and a good centre pairing of Tosh Masson and Mel Deane while the pack, too, looked to be solid.
Indeed it was the superiority of the pack throughout the game that ultimately gave Quins the edge, so that increasingly the second half was played in the Wasps’ half of the pitch. Both the line-out and the scrum were dominated by Quins with line-out ball stolen and a number of scrums won against the head. Only the conditions served to limit Quins’ superiority as handling and remaining on one’s feet, even unchallenged by tacklers, became increasingly difficult.
The early exchanges saw the Quins forwards begin to establish their superiority, but it was Wasps who had the first scoring chance after eight minutes with a penalty from about 35 metres, but Cipriani hit the post and the ball rebounded out and Wasps regained possession. A well flighted cross kick to the right wing just beat the flying winger, Thom Evans, into touch.
A line-out on the twenty-two was followed by a scrum in almost the same place and then by a further penalty which was put into the corner for an attacking line-out. A further penalty for offside saw a quick tap and George Robson over for the first try. Callow’s conversion attempt hit the upright and rebounded. 0 – 5.
The dominant Quins pack ©Barquin Mad
Further scoring opportunities were squandered as first Callow missed with a penalty kick and then a potentially scoring pass to Kiba Richards at speed along the right wing was adjudged to be forward. Another good cross kick intended for Richards was just caught by the defender to prevent the certain score. Wasps too missed opportunities with a failed penalty attempt, poor handling and loss of the ball in contact. They did, however, manage to exert some pressure on the Quins’ try-line and after a series of rucks which were stoutly defended, Ben Gotting scored in the corner to level the score. Cipriani’s conversion attempt failed.
As the first half came towards its end a further Wasps’ attack saw them gain a line-out five metres from the Quins’ line. Despite stealing the ball from the throw-in, the ball was dropped and Wasps flanker Garth Chamberlain was able to grab the ball and touch down for the try. Cipriani’s conversion from the touchline succeeded and half time arrived with Wasps leading by 12 point to 5.
The second half started with both sides seeking to kick for position. It was Quins that succeeded when a long kick along the right had touch line was chased and successfully touched down by Kiba Richards with only three minutes of the half gone. Callow’s fine conversion from the touchline levelled the scores at 12 points all. The kicking game continued to predominate in the play of both sides as pitch conditions got steadily worse.
As the third quarter came to an end a Quins penalty attempt from 35 metres was the third occasion that the posts had been struck and once again the ball rebounded infield. The next penalty award, however, saw Quins go for the attacking line-out and a well organised rolling maul began to move steadily forward. When the ball emerged and was moved along the line to the left wing it was knocked on by the winger and another chance had gone.
With ten minutes remaining a chip and chase saw Kiba Richards in collision with a defender off the ball and the incident saw him replaced in a slightly dazed condition. Quins had further penalties inside the Wasps half on 73 minutes and 75 minutes but Callow missed with his kicks on both occasions.
Injury time arrived with the scores still level and Quins had another penalty on the halfway line. With the Wasps retreating, Masson took a quick tap and broke past two tacklers and evaded a third on a 40 metre run to the line to put the game out of Wasps reach. Callow’s conversion attempt just curled away at the last and failed to add to the score. The whistle followed immediately after the restart.
So Quins took an important step on the road towards another A League final. Despite the poor conditions and a number of players who must have been less than familiar with their team-mates the Quins’ forwards in particular gave an excellent account of themselves with George Robson and Tony Diprose outstanding. The four points put Quins second, two behind Gloucester with five more games to play. If they win all of them they should qualify for the final.
At present the next fixture is on 13th February away to Bristol, although the postponed home fixture against Saracens may be played on 6th February.
Teams:
London Wasps:
15. Ron Laird, 14.Joe Mbu, 13. Fraser Waters, 12. Dominic Waldouck, 11. Thom Evans, 10. Daniel Cipriani, 9. James Honeyben. 1. Jon Dawson, 2. Ben Gotting, 3. Justin Va'a, 4. Matt Corker, 5. Tom Bason, 6. James Haskell, 7. Garth Chamberlain, 8. Mark Lock.
Replacements: Chris Bishay , Joe Simpson, John Paul Filler, Tom French, Henry Nwume, Rob Webber
Harlequins:
15. Kevin Fisher (Esher), 14. Kiba Richards, 13. Tosh Masson, 12. Mel Deane, 11. Adam Thompstone, 10. Gregg Callow , 9. Mike Marsh (Esher), 1. Alex Rogers, 2. James Hayter, 3. Mark Lambert, 4. Kevin Burke, 5. George Robson, 6. Pablo Bouza, 7. Darren Clayton, 8. Tony Diprose
Replacements: 16. Jimmy Richards, 17. Aston Croall, 18. Lorne Ward, 19. James Inglis, 20. Tom Guest, 21. Jarrod Vock, 22. Will Maddox (Esher)
Referee: Dean Richards (RFU)