Harlequins A 21-25 Saracens Storm

Harlequins retrieved a losing bonus point from their Guinness A League match against Saracens with a last minute converted try from Rory Clegg that left spectators wondering how they had managed to lose. Having led by nine points at half time, they lost 21 – 25.

The early exchanges showed that both sides were trying to play running rugby and both created early chances.  Saracens might have scored down the left wing but a good tackle from Sam Smith bundled the attacker into touch just short of the try line. The fly half, Sharp, missed with a drop goal attempt from about 30 metres and Clegg was only just short with a speculative attempt from twice that distance.  It was Clegg that opened the scoring with a penalty after thirteen minutes and increased it four minutes later.

The forwards were gaining the upper hand in the scrums and the line out and both backs and forwards were trying to play a close passing, offloading game.  Inevitably errors occurred, but there were good breaks from Ross Chisholm and Ollie Lindsay-Hague. A third penalty allowed Clegg to increase the lead to 9 – 0 after the first half-hour.

Saracens responded with a concerted and concentrated attack and were met with staunch defence.  Another drop goal attempt was charged down.  A lineout on the Quins 5-metre line was held and cleared and danger averted.  A try saving tackle from Lindsay-Hague eased the pressure.  But Saracens, with their forwards camped on the Quins’ try-line and in possession of the ball could not be held out and their flanker, Don Barrell scored in the corner.  The conversion attempt failed.

With the first half rapidly running out, Clegg found an excellent touch on the Saracens’ 5-metre line.  In the ruck that followed the lineout, Quins were able to turn over the ball and moved it quickly left  to a three-man overlap in space on the wing and Waisea Luveniyali touched down for the try.  Clegg’s conversion attempt from the touchline failed.  At half-time Quins led 14 – 5.

Saracens opened the second half playing with more cohension and playing the game in Quins’ half of the pitch.  Quins were forced to defend strongly but a missed tackle and a small gap were all that was necessary for Adam Powell to break through the Quins mid-field and score by the posts.  Jake Sharp added the points.  The chance for more points for Quins was lost when Clegg missed with a 35 metre penalty.

Quins tried very hard to play with increased pace and both backs and forwards, with Tom Guest and Neil MacMillan particularly noticeable worked hard but could not manufacture a real attack and were forced to defend in their own half for long periods.  Despite substitutions Quins lost their earlier dominance at the scrum and found themselves penalised at the set piece more than once.  Sharp kicked two more penalties and missed with a third attempt and another attempted drop goal.  Then with five minutes remaining an interception allowed James Short to canter 50 metres to score under the posts and with the simple conversion the game seemed over with the score at 14 – 25. The bonus point was gone.

But Quins were not finished. A break by Luveniyali with Smith in support took play deep into Saracens’ territory.  The ball was moved into the centre where Clegg sliced through the defence to score under the posts and convert his own try and restore the bonus point with the final kick of the game.  The ease and incisiveness with which Quins gathered themselves into attack for that try was excellent.  But why could they not have done this earlier in the half and more than once?

Other results in the league: Gloucester 16 Wasps 50; London Irish 35 Bath 29.

Quins drop to third place on points difference but on the same number of league points, 6, as Wasps (2^nd) and Bath (4^th).  Saracens top the table with 9 points from two wins.

Harlequins: 15. Waisea Luveniyali, 14. Sam Smith, 13. Ross Chisholm, 12. Seb Jewell, 11. Ollie Lindsay-Hague, 10. Rory Clegg, 9. Steve So’oialo; 1. Aston Croall, 2.Chris Brooker, 3. John Andress, 4. Shane O’Connor, 5. Charlie Matthews, 6. Chris York, 7. Neil MacMillan [c], 8 T. Guest
Replacements: 16. Joe Marlar, 17. Rob Buchanan, 18. James Johnston, 19. Jonno Ross, 20. Luke Wallace, 21, Gareth Williams, 22. Joe Trayfoot, 23, Toby Quarendon.

Referee: Rowan Kitt