London Wasps A 29 Harlequins A 32

New Forward Coach?
By Barney Burnham
March 7 2005

Deep into injury time in this pulsating match between the top two sides in the table, Wasps - trailing 32-22 - were awarded a penalty, 15 yards in from touch, inside the Harlequins 22.

 

With four tries already scored, the coaches knew that a further three points would secure a second, potentially crucial, bonus point. Before they could get the kicking tee on to 17-year-old Dominic Waldouck, Harvey Biljon took a quick penalty. The ball was moved out left, and Waldouck found James Haskell, who crashed over near the posts, for his fourth try of the season. Waldouck added the points and the game ended in a 32-29 win for Quins.

Despite the loss - their first of the season - Wasps remain favourites to reach the playoff final. Quins have just one game left, and lead Wasps by 3 points, but Wasps have a game in hand. So two wins and one bonus point from their final two games would clinch top place in the league.

With snow falling, and the temperature close to zero, the game got off to a roaring start. In the first minute, a powerful Quins forward drive released good ball for the backs and fullback Adrian Jarvis was sent through a gaping hole in the Wasps midfield.

With winger Charlie Amesbury in support, Jarvis veered infield and seemed certain to score, before a last-ditch tackle by Rob Laird stopped him just short of the line.

A minute later came a near miss at the other end. A Wasps forward drive gave flyhalf Harvey Biljon the chance to send Waldouck through a gap. With winger Thom Evans clear on the right, the young centre's pass was intercepted, and the danger was cleared.

Two minutes later, Joe Mbu came tantalisingly close to scoring against his old club, but his foot just clipped the touchline, as he was sent clear down the left.

It was Quins who opened the scoring, after they stole Wasps ball just outside the 22. Left-winger Michael Brown broke clear down the touchline and passed inside to centre Henry Barratt, who went over for a well deserved score, converted by former Welsh international flyhalf Arwel Thomas.

Wasps nearly opened their account, when Mbu chipped ahead, but was just beaten to the touchdown by another international, former Springbok scrumhalf Dave Van Hoesslin.

On 14 minutes, Quins stretched their lead. They again stole Wasps ball, after a counterattack broke down on the 22. Barratt was sent clear to cross in the corner, for his second try of the night, which Thomas could not convert.

A minute later, Wasps won good lineout ball inside the Quins 22, and the ball was moved swiftly to the right, for winger Thom Evans to touch down in the corner. Biljon missed the difficult conversion.

Wasps now began to get some momentum going, and there followed a series of near misses.

First, a Thomas clearance was charged down by openside flanker Garth Chamberlain. The ball bounced away into the path of Ali Mckenzie, with oceans of space in front of him, but the prop couldn't gather an awkward ball off his toes.

Next came a powerful burst from James Haskell, which was stopped on the line, where Wasps were penalised.

On 31 minutes came the nearest miss of all. Evans fielded a clearance kick near halfway, and set off on a scintillating crossfield run through the Quins defence. The ball eventually reached Mbu, but he lost the ball as he went over the line.

A lengthy injury break followed - the result of a sickening clash of heads between Van Hoesslin and Quins hooker Ace Tiatia. The scrumhalf required a number of stitches, while the Samoan international was left with two nasty bumps on the head. Neither player could continue.

Play resumed with a Wasps penalty, following a Quins offence in the move which had so nearly brought a try for Mbu. It was taken quickly, and Ali McKenzie bulldozed his way over for his fourth try of the season. Biljon again missed the conversion, and the score stood at 12-10.

Quins then came close to a third try, following a long run by Amesbury, whose infield pass found a Wasps hand, just short of the line.

That third try eventually came in injury time. With the referee playing advantage, for a Wasps offence near their own line, Thomas hoisted an inch-perfect chip, for number 8 Kai Horstmann to outjump the defence and touch down near the posts. Thomas added the extra points, but missed a kickable penalty with the last action of the half.

19-10 was a fair reflection of the first 40 minutes, and it was Quins who started the stronger in the second half.

After sustained pressure brought the best out of the Wasps defence,Thomas missed an early penalty chance. He was then on target after 7 minutes, to take his side 12 points clear.

A series of changes in the Wasps backline saw Biljon replace James Honeyben at scrumhalf, with Waldouck moving in to outside half, and the teenager proceeded to give an assured, mature performance.

After excellent harrying by Chamberlain forced an error in the Quins midfield, Evans was forced into touch at the corner. Almost immediately, Waldouck sent a well-judged chip towards the Quins line.England Under-21 centre James Wellwood - who'd come on for Mbu, with Matt Priscott moving out to the wing - couldn't gather, but Evans was following up, to crash over for his second try of the night. Biljon again missed the conversion, but Wasps were right back in the game.

A trademark barnstorming run by Haskell then took play deep into Quins territory. The number 8 made 40 metres, before finding Waldouck in support, but the movement was stopped on the 22, and Wasps were again penalised. At the other end, it took a covering tackle by Evans to stop Brown going over in the corner.

On 26 minutes, Quins stretched their lead and claimed a bonus point, after another powerful run by Barratt. The impressive centre was stopped just short of the line, but flanker Luke Sherriff was in support to gather the ball and dive over. Thomas's conversion took Quins 14 points clear.

The alarm bells were ringing for Wasps, whose playoff prospects now looked in jeopardy. But they refused to lie down, and were rewarded when George Skivington went over, after a quick penalty near the Quins line. That try brought a bonus point, and Waldouck's calm conversion meant they now trailed by only 7 points, and a second bonus point - or even an unlikely win - was in reach.

With a minute of normal time left, Thomas sent a dropped goal attempt just wide of the posts, but a minute later, he landed a penalty to take Quins 10 points clear.

Then came the nailbiting climax, culminating in Haskell's dramatic score to put Wasps in pole position, despite the loss of their 100% record.

"That was probably the best quality A game we've been involved in." said coach Shaun Edwards.

"In the first half our inexperience showed, with several people playing out of position. But the second half showed what this club is all about. We displayed great character, and typical Wasps never-say-die spirit. Winning two bonus points was crucial, and it means everything's now in our hands."

The equation is quite simple. Nine points in our last two games ensures a place in the final - probably against Leicester. The next game sees us visit London Irish, on March the 14th. They will not be a pushover, as they are the only side to deny us a tries bonus point this season, and they beat us last season.

The A League is building up to an exciting climax, and Wasps are well placed to go all the way.

Wasps travel to Sunbury to play London Irish A on Monday 14 March, kick-off 7.30pm.