Quns Fail to Tame Tigers

By AlanQuin
May 16 2004

Most teams who go into the Tiger’s den at Welford Road come away well clawed and with wounds to nurse. Harlequins certainly did. The final score of 43 – 26 flattered them.

Despite Quins managing four good tries and defending stoutly, the totally dominant Leicester pack provided the platform for the pace and pressure of the Tiger’s backs. They played with great determination and invention, despite handling errors, and were greatly helped by a referee who left Quins with a penalty count against them in the first half of ten to three. A penalty try and a yellow card for Andre Vos, just on the point of half-time left Quins in tatters as they leaked three more tries during his absence.

From the very start the Leicester pack showed their intent with a rolling maul that went from inside their 22 metre line to halfway before a poor kick from their fly-half went dead to give Quins the scrum. Despite a free kick from the scrum only a knock-on gave Quins a second scrum which was lost against the head. Tigers built the pressure and a fine high ball was won by Murphy, against the odds, and although he looked to break through a further knock-on ended the move and Leicester had a penalty from about 27 metres for offside which Goode kicked to start the scoring after only five minutes.

But Quins continued to make mistakes. A sliced clearance gave them a line-out in the Tigers’ twenty-two but the throw was not straight. The kick from the scrum pushed Quins back and then they lost the line-out, conceding possession and putting them under more pressure. A penalty in Quins’ favour in the centre found a good touch, but despite a good lineout, the ball was turned over. Too many turnovers meant Quins had to defend ever more strongly.

Evans Collects (Alanquin)

The defence was good but inevitably the pressure told. Tigers were always up quickly and when Dunne was a second too long about a clearance kick, Van der Westhuyzen charged the kick down and with a fortunate bounce was through to collect and touch down for the try under the posts. Goode added the conversion bringing the score to 10 – 0 after sixteen minutes.

Now the Leicester backs were buzzing and Murphy, Lloyd and particularly Healey were increasingly threatening and only stout tackling and determination forced errors which blunted their attacks. Inevitably another penalty against Quins, again for offside, allowed Goode to add another three points.

In the twenty-sixth minute Harlequins came back. Gavin Duffy managed to knock back his own high ball and Bemand gathered and ran straight through the Tigers’ line. Despite being tackled when only a couple of metres from the line he was able to off-load to Miall and was back in position when the ball was recycled to pass to Andy Dunne who with a fine finish went through a gap on the left to score a fine try. He added the conversion, 16 – 7.

Leicester continued to press and were unlucky not to score in the right corner when a forward pass negated a three man overlap. A penalty to Quins from the resulting scrum eased the pressure. But not for long. A series of scrums in the left corner or the Quins 5 metre line found the Quins pack in trouble. That was increased when Andre Vos was given a yellow card for an offence on the floor. The next scrum led to another penalty and another scrum and a warning from the referee. The third scrum, with the powerful Leicester forwards against only seven Harlequins, saw the front row pop up and referee Lander sprinting for the posts to award the penalty try and leave Tigers with a 23 – 7 lead at half-time.

Harlequins started the second half with only 14 men and their charismatic leader in the sin-bin. It was to be only a matter of minutes before Leicester were pressing very hard in the right hand corner. From a line-out, 10 metres out Tigers started a forward maul rolling towards the Harlequin line that inevitably ended with a push-over try scored by Neil Back. The conversion was missed. 28 – 7. Only four minutes had elapsed in the half.

Only a minute or two later a good run by Deane saw him lose the ball in the tackle. It was gathered by Chuter and passed out left to Gibson whose incisive run and excellent overhead pass to Murphy on the left wing saw the Irishman across for another try. With the added points from Goode’s conversion 35 – 7

There was worse to come. From a tap penalty taken quickly taken by Ellis was passed to Healey who at the end of his run mis-kicked infield. The ball was picked up by Bemand , but his clearance kick as he went backwards went straight into Ellis’s hands and the scrum-half strolled in from 5 metres. The conversion was missed.

But now Vos was back and Quins back to full strength. The replacements began on both sides. Keogh for Harder; Jones for Worsley; Davison for Evans while Leicester withdrew Martin Johnson and George Chuter and brought on Kay and West.

Then a penalty was tapped and Dunne ran straight through the lackadaisical Tigers to score under the posts and then convert his try. 40 – 14. More replacements followed. There was a fine ovation for the departure of Jason Leonard, replaced by Gomez. Vos was replaced by Sherriff and Bemand by Willis. Tigers too put the rest of their replacements on. Jarvis replaced Dunne.

Then with ten minutes left a superb pass from Greenwood found Ugo Monye in space on his own 10 metre line. He needed no further invitation and handing off Goode he outstripped Healey and Lloyd to score in the corner. Jarvis failed with the conversion. 40 – 19 . There was still more to come as the ball came to Gavin Duffy inside his own twenty-two. His chip kick bounced over Goode was gathered back by Duffy and with Healey about to tackle the pass to Greenwood allowed him to finish the score. Jarvis converted. 40 – 26

Leicester tried to come again but the defence held fast until Jaco Van der Westhuyzen scored with a final drop goal.

Once again Quins had shown that they never give up. There were fine performances from Dunne and Duffy among others. The forwards will have to put on a better performance against Montferrand if Heineken Cup qualification is to be gained and the Parker Pen Challenge Cup won. In a superb gesture showing the esteem in which the whole world of Rugby holds Jason Leonard, following the game Leicester presented the great England and Harlequin prop with an engraved decanter to mark his last domestic appearance for Quins.

Jason Collects (Alanquin)

Leicester: A Goode; G Murphy (O Smith 47min), L Lloyd, D Gibson (F Tuilagi 71min), A Healey; J van der Westhuyzen, H Ellis (T Tierney 71min); D Morris (M Holford 73min), G Chuter (D West 52min), J White, M Johnson (capt, B Kay 52min), L Deacon, M Corry, W Johnson (A Balding 73min), N Back. Tries: Van der Westhuyzen 17, penalty try 40, Back 45, Murphy 47, Ellis 51. Conversions: Goode (3) Penalties: Goode (3). Drop Goal: Van der Westhuyzen

Harlequins: G Duffy; G Harder (S Keogh 54min), W Greenwood, M Deane, U Monye; A Dunne (A Jarvis 71min), S Bemand (B Willis 64min); M Worsley (C Jones 22-29, 55min), T Fuga, J Leonard (L Gomez 64min), S Miall, J Evans (B Davison 55min), P Sanderson, A Diprose, A Vos (capt, L Sherriff 64min). Yellow card: Harlequins: Vos (40min) Tries: Dunne 26, 60, Monye 76, Greenwood 80 Conversions: Dunne (2), Jarvis

Referee: S Lander (RFU). Attendance: 12,004