Wasps A 13-27 Harlequins A

By AlanQuin
December 8 2009

A determined and committed performance, with the Quins forwards dominating the scrum and supported by good running from the backs, brought Harlequins A victory over Wasps A by 13 - 27 at Henley last night and took them to the top of the Southern Conference of the A League.

While both sides attempted to attack it was Quins that dominated the early exchanges with a penalty allowing Clegg to find a good touch in the Wasps’ twenty-two. Quins’ pressure from the lineout forced the Wasps’ defence to kick the ball dead. The ensuing scrum was reset four times before the inevitable penalty was awarded. This allowed Quins to call another scrum and yet another penalty followed. This time Steve So’oialo took a quick tap and ran through the disorganised Wasps’ defence for a try under the posts that Clegg converted to give Quins the lead after ten minutes.

Eoghan Hickey, awarded the kicking duties despite the return of Cipriani, kicked a penalty for Wasps successfully, to reduce the arrears that were increased again by a similar successful kick from Clegg. Then another Wasps’ attack saw the ball popped up out of a ruck for Odejobi to scamper through the Quins defence to score. Hickey’s successful conversion levelled the score at 10 –10 after twenty-five minutes.

The wet ball led to handling problems on both sides, but Quins’ forwards were always dominant and clean ball for Wasps at the scrum was rare. They had a chance to take the lead from a penalty, but Hickey’s kick went wide. Quins returned to the attack with Lindsay-Hague and Sam Smith showing good pace and willingness to run at the opposition and counter-attack at every opportunity.

Then as the half drew to a close, another Quins’ attack saw the ball mover rapidly right for Drauinui to dive over in the corner for Quins’ second try. Clegg’s excellent conversion from the touchline brought the half-time score to 10 – 17.

Wasps made a number of substitutions at half-time, removing Cipriani who had been virtually anonymous throughout, as well as the scrum half and both props. Ten minutes later they replaced two more forwards. However the Quins’ pack continued to dominate their opponents. Hickey and Clegg exchanged penalties as the score advanced to 13 - 20 after five minutes of the second half, although the latter missed with another long range effort a few minutes later.

Quins too began to make substitutions but the pack continued to dominate and a series of scrums close to the Wasps posts saw Quins drive the scrum forward with unusual ease. Penalties conceded by Wasps were taken as scrums as Quins pressed hard for another score and eventually the referee awarded a penalty try which Clegg converted.

For the remainder of the match Quins were deep in the Wasps’ half pressing unsuccessfully for the bonus point try. They had to be satisfied, however, with four league points as 13 – 27 remained the final score.

After the match coach Colin Osborne expressed his satisfaction at the result and the performance, particularly that of the forwards, it being very rare that a Wasps scrum went backwards so often and so fast.

Wasps A 13-27 Harlequins A

Posted by: ComeAllWithin.co.uk (IP Logged)

Date: 08/12/2009 10:44

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