Off-colour tigers mauled at the Stoop

Dawson (Simon Jones)
By Dizzybird
April 20 2003

There was much tension and many predictions as to which team were going to win the Stoop’s first home game since February and since Leicester Tigers beat Quins by 7 points in the quarter finals of the Powergen Cup. Both teams had something to prove and this was going to be a battle and a half.

Tigers would be looking for a win especially after their defeat by Munster. Quins too would be looking for a win to ensure they avoided possible relegation from the ZP, so there was much at stake.

It was also the first home match since the sudden death of scrum half Nick Duncombe who will be remembered as a guy who had achieved so much yet was tragically taken away so young and still with so much to offer. All supporters gave a standing ovation for Nick and his proud family who were present at the game.

3:00 pm approached and finally the game began.

England backs Greenwood and Luger in the thick of it  (Binky)

Within the first 5 minutes Quins had made at least 3 mistakes and the last resulting in a penalty to Leicester.  Stimpson, over the demons of his game against Munster, convincingly chipped the ball between the posts for Tigers to go 3 up. Another 3 points from Stimpson via another penalty in the 17th minute. Was this a sign of things to come? It didn’t look good for Quins but perhaps there could be a chance as there was still another 63 minutes of play….supposedly! Do referees watches work at a different rate to anyone else’s as I recollect a similar difference in time span at Headingley?

Quins were defending well and two thirds into the first half when an opportunity arose for a try. The ball was kicked and loose, Williams running for it but was tackled. Gollings and Stimpson made the chase and both hands touched the ball. Who got there first? This was one decision that didn’t go ‘upstairs’ and the try was awarded to Gollings only for Paul Burke to miss the conversion.

Gollings pleased (Simon Jones)

Another penalty to Tigers, successfully taken by Stimpson and at half time it was 9-5 to Tigers. Quins still had a lot of work to do.

Into the second half and what a difference a cup of tea and a loo break makes. Another missed penalty by Burkey though some good defence kept Tigers in check. Geordan Murphy never got a look in to break free due to good defending. The thought Burkey may have Stimpson-itis crossed my mind only for him to successfully take another penalty 5 minutes later. We still love you Burkey, oh yes we do!

Still, 9-8 to Leicester. Come on you Quinsssssssssa!

Thirty minutes into half time and another penalty from Burkey. Four minutes later another penalty. Yessss! 14-9 to Quins. This is more like it. Some flashes of brilliance from Dan the Man but unfortunately shot down in flames by Tigers. At times it appeared Tigers could have been on for a couple of tries but successfully saved by Quins.

Williams clears the lines (Simon Jones)

Loose ball and Gollings was on for another try. Unfortunately, the ball had a mind of its own and, as Ben running on super unleaded, went charging ahead, the ball chickened out and decided it wasn’t playing. However, good ground covered.

Gollings pops up at scrum half (Simon Jones)

A line out and the ball was back in Burkey’s hands, would he go for a drop kick, no, yes, oh yes he went for it and over it goes. Up and under!

Lineout (Simon Jones)

Ooops! A little upset from Ace, surprise surprise, he was lucky he wasn’t given the yellow card. Five minutes later a case of déjà vu. This time Ace was sin binned not to be seen again until just before the end of play though it did give Stimpson the opportunity to add to Tigers’ score. Would he do it? Nope Stimpson-itis has returned. Big credit must go to Andre Vos who showed how good a captain he is by keeping emotional outbursts within the team down. Well done young man!

Time is almost up…or is it? For what appeared a dubiously long second half the final whistle eventually blew. Phew! The last drop kick from Paul Burke took Quins to a convincing 17-9 result with tired Tigers not even scoring in the second half. Absolutely fantastic!

Congratulations to Tony Diprose as man of the match.

The match is now well and truly won so into the lions’ den I go, or not as was almost the case. Having been greeted with a “Who do you represent?” from a seasoned hack I squeaked that I had been requested by kwin at CAW to do the match report. A quick once over and I am allowed in.  Perhaps the innocent smile did it or the fact I looked to old to be a groupie. Fortunately there is Mr Nice Guy on the front row who eases my nerves with a kindly smile and a little help in placing the ‘dictaphone’ on the table. Seems like a nice boy!

ME arrives and again I get a dubious look. No I am not stalking you ME just here to get some info.

The questions start. Hey these guys just ask ordinary questions and that ‘so and so’ just stole mine. These were my observations.

ME loves the wild card (yeah right) but of course his wife and Bob Dylan come first (joke). A phone rings….ME’s mother…ooops he left her off the list. Where were we?

ME: “Quins have been waiting a long time for this win against Leicester and on balance deserved to win. Tigers were looking very tired and perhaps one game too many for them. I was confident that at half time we could win. We (Quins) defended well all day and played pretty solidly too. Since Bristol we’ve conceded two tries and that’s down to better defending. Not great play, we didn’t scrummage well and we’ve had a tough year. Thanks go to Mel Deane who was a bonus, Ceri Jones and Billy Fulton who have been terrific. We’ve battled our way out.”

When asked whether Dan the Man Luger would be signing for Perpignan, ME stated that he does not discuss players’ contracts. Make of that what you will but don’t be surprised if we see him go to France next season as there wasn’t exactly a denial either.

ME believes that Quins have avoided relegation and is looking forward to Codling, Sanderson and Gomez returning to the fold after injury. (Don’t we all!) Most of the back line are fit. Today ME had a bench which he hasn’t had for a long time and had options for the last 15-20 minutes. 3 tough games to come and there may be the opportunity to see what the team really are made of. He praised Tigers and believes they will still set the bench mark for the next 5 years. They will not fade away. Their foundations are too good and are a quality organisation and they look ahead.

Dean Richards enters the room and silence.

Q One game too far Dean???

DR “We (Leicester) looked tired. Didn’t play with the urgency we should have done. 3 kicks over the dead ball line and we didn’t play particularly well. I believe if they’d (Tigers) had played as well in the first half as the second then the result would have been different. Leicester have dominated European rugby for 4 years and it’s a hiccough. Have Man U ever won for 4 years on the trot?”

Dean has a point.

DR gave no comment about the ‘wild card’ entry to Heineken cup.

It is his belief that any club has players who will come and go but that it should be kept to a minimum to ensure a good team. It appears he doesn’t intend to make many changes to his side and Martin Johnson is certainly at Leicester for another year.

Interviews finished and over to the East Stand bar for a quickie coke then homeward bound overtaking 3 Tigers coaches carrying very subdued looking passengers. A good day all in all and the right result.

My sincere thanks to Sleepy Hollow for making me the offer of writing this report and for kwin’s help and encouragement. Cheers guys!

Well done Quins!!!!