A Predictable Win: Quins 34-19 Northampton
By Heath Quinn
November 6 2006
With your correspondent going for 31 – 21 in the prediction league the actual score of 34 – 19 was clearly predictable. In fact my first effort at this match report simply read, “ I told you so”. But The Prof sent it back to me and told me to try again.
There was another reason for my very brief first draft. In an attempt to move with the times I decided to use a Dictaphone rather than the traditional hand written notes, my short hand not being up to much. Unfortunately I have found myself sabotaged by Kiwi Quinn, who lent me a digital Dictaphone, which subsequently erased my entire notes forcing me to attempt this report from memory. Even at my peak, which I am well past now, my memory was never my greatest strength so please bear with me. It’s all Kiwi Quinn’s fault. (Boooo).
Carlos Spencer started the game kicking off towards the south stand, Harlequins tidied up and cleared to touch. Northampton won the line out a drove into Quins half. It was now that Northampton’s game plan came to the fore. They had clearly decided that this game was going to be won by them up front, so that was where they were going to play it. The ball went through countless phases almost all of them driven around the fringes. Then came the first scrum of the game and Northampton did have a very noticeable edge here with Quins being walked backwards on both our and their ball.
Despite Northampton having the better of the early exchanges, I had them up in both territory and possession, it was the boys from the Stoop who drew first blood with an AJ penalty. Given for offside I believe, but Carlos clearly disagreed with Spreaders and told him so.
The first real moment of note came when Northampton were awarded a very kickable penalty very close to the Quins try line. They opted to take the scrum rather than the points. But on this occasion the home scrum held it’s ground then managed to turn the ball over from the ensuing maul. It should be noted that whilst the result was still in the balance Northampton never turned down the chance to take three points again. In fact Quins were penalised again for pulling down a maul, and Spencer took on the three points from a harder angle than the original penalty. He duly slotted it over to level the scores and 3 – 3.
The next great incident was Harlequins' first try. Good work from the Quartered backs set up a ruck in the northwest corner. Quick ball was always going to test the already stretched away defence. Gommers got good ball away to AJ, who looked up and put a pin perfect cross field kick, which Simon Keogh took unopposed and ran in the try, which AJ converted, 10 – 3. With Ian Vass, the ex – Harlequins scrum half playing at full back and Ben Cohen away with England, this was an area the Harlequins were going to target, and AJ tried the same tactic shortly after, but this time Northampton won the airborne contest.
Northampton drove the ball up the pitch, Spencer trying all his little tricks, but Quins defence generally holding firm. Quins were eventually penalised for holding on Spencer slotted over the kick. 10 – 6. Just before half time Quins were penalised in the scrum, despite Northampton's shove before the ball went in. Spencer lined up the kick, and then reminded us of his All Black days with a kick might not have even reached the try line. I say might as I was unable see where the ball finished, as I was doubled up chuckling at the time. The final kick of the half was left to AJ, as he chipped over a penalty for offside from just in side Northampton’s half over by the west stand. Half time score 13 – 6.
I did record at great length my thoughts on the first half and my fears and hopes for the second half. I can assure you that they were wise and interesting, but sadly they are now lost to mankind. I do remember being impressed with our forward effort. The line out was working very well, and we weren’t giving and inch in the loose. The set scrum was retreating but was fighting. I thought Nick Easter was having a great game turning our scrum ball into go forward ball time and again. What concerned me was how much this effort was taking out of the boys. At what time the substations would start, and what effect this would have on the game. Would the seven point lead we had established be enough?
I needn’t have worried. Quins came out with such intent in the second half and effectively blew Northampton away, scoring 21 unanswered points in as many minutes which ended the game as a contest (well there was one penalty against us). What ever Deano said at half time had the desired effect, and I just hope that we have managed to bottle the team talk for future weeks.
The first try was for Gommers. A great line break for Jordan, doesn’t he seem to improve with each week, lead to a ruck on the Saints try line. Very quick ball allowed Gommers to wriggle through a couple of would be tacklers. AJ added the extras. 20 – 6. It is worth noting that Deano has been quoted as saying that Stuart Abbott may struggle to retain his place once he regains fitness, such is Jordan’s play. I would like to add my vote to that sentiment.
The second try was an easy run in for Simon Keogh. It came after Spencer had closed the gap with a penalty. Quins had an attacking line out in the Saints twenty-two. The catch and drive was on, but Saints countered this well and the maul turned into a ruck underneath the post. Gommers looked to pass out towards the east stand where AJ was waiting, but at the last moment AJ started a run taking unto the other side of the ruck, which Gommers read well. This change of the point of attack caught the Saints defence on the hop, and lead to an overlap, which was well executed and gave Simon Keogh an unopposed run in. AJ added the addition two points. 27 – 9
The final, and bonus point try was scored my AJ himself. This one also came from a lineout that was turned into a ruck, and AJ back himself against the defence to squeeze over the try close to the post, giving himself an easier kick which he duly made. 34 – 9.
The game was now effectively over as a contest and it started to show. Quins appeared to ease up and Saints started throwing caution to the wind. I should be noted that there were large periods of the game where Saints had procession and went through the phases, attacking through the backs and forwards, but didn’t actually make any ground as the home defence stood strong. Finally all the attacking paid off with Sean Lamont picking a good line to score in the North West corner, with another howler from Spencer failing to add the extra points. 34 – 14.
The subs were now on for both sides with Chris Hala’Ufia very keen to make up for lost time and putting in some huge hits. Tani Fuga deciding he didn’t want to be out done and putting in a monster of his own. Leading Old Kings Number Eight to mutter the now immortal line, “The man from Samoa. He say NO.”
As we entered the final minute of the match we saw a scene that no true rugby fan wants to see. The Northampton centre was unconscious on the centre spot. I didn’t see the incident so won’t comment on what happen. But I was told later in the day he had come round was fine other than the concussion. There was a very long delay before he could be safely removed from the field of play. But when play resumed Robinson crashed over for the five points which Carlos failed to convert .34 – 19 Final score.
So returning to my prediction. I feel that I made two mistakes when I mulled over all the options. I wrongly thought AJ would miss a kick, and underestimated how badly Spencer can kick sometimes. But overall I was quite happy with the final score, Quins picked up all five points, didn’t appear to get any injuries. Roll on Newcastle……….
NEC Harlequins
Ceri Jones, Tani Fuga (Richards, 72 mins), Mike Ross (Ward, 72 mins), Ollie Kohn, Nicolas Spanghero, Andre Vos, Paul Volley, Nick Easter (Hala'Ufia, 65 mins), Andy Gomarsall (Care, 72 mins), Adrian Jarvis (Harder, 76 mins), Simon Keogh, Jordan Turner-Hall, Gavin Duffy, Tom Williams, Mike Brown.
Replacements: Jimmy Richards (Tani Fuga, 72 mins), Lorne Ward (Mike Ross, 72 mins), Jim Evans, Chris Hala'Ufia (Nick Easter, 65 mins), Danny Care (Andy Gomarsall, 72 mins), Craig McMullen (Adrian Jarvis, 76 mins), George Harder
Scorers:
Tries: Andy Gomarsall, Adrian Jarvis, Simon Keogh (2). Conversions: Adrian Jarvis (4). Penalties: Adrian Jarvis (2)
Northampton Saints
Tom Smith, Steve Thompson (Hartley 72mins), Chris Budgen (Barnard 56mins), Damien Browne, Christian Short (Gerard 56mins), Paul Tupai, Darren Fox (capt), Daniel Browne (Easter 59mins), Ian Vass; Sean Lamont, Rhodri Davies (Going 58mins), Luke Myring (Howard 79mins), Chris Wyles; Carlos Spencer, Mark Robinson
Replacements: Dylan Hartley, Pat Barnard, David Gerard, Mark Easter, Johnny Howard, Vaughan Going, Paul Diggin
Scorers:
Tries: Mark Robinson, Sean Lamont. Penalties: Carlos Spencer (2)
Attendance: 11,354
Scoring Sequence:
9mins Jarvis pen 3-0
15mins Spencer pen 3-3
22mins Keogh try 8-3
23mins Jarvis con 10-3
33mins Spencer pen 10-6
38mins Spencer pen miss 10-6
40mins Jarvis pen 13-6
HT 13-6
44mins Gomarsall try 18-6
44mins Jarvis con 20-6
48mins Spencer pen 20-9
57mins Keogh try 25-9
58mins Jarvis con 27-9
65mins Jarvis try 32-9
66mins Jarvis con 34-9
77mins Lamont try 34-14
77mins Spencer con miss 34-14
80mins Robinson try 34-19
80mins Spencer con miss 34-19