Leicester v Harlequins "A" teams final MATCH REPORT

By ALANQUIN
May 4 2010

Despite a brave, determined and full-blooded effort by the visitors, Leicester Tigers Development XV defeated Harlequins A in the final of the Guinness A League at Welford Road by 29 – 27.

Leicester Tigers are not exactly known for a sense of humour.  Rather their reputation is for dour efficiency.  But surely to call a side containing three England full internationals and a majority of first team squad professionals a “Development XV” could only be evidence of a twisted sense of humour.  The Harlequins team, by contrast had a majority of young Academy players and only three or four who might be counted as first team squad players.

Tigers in all their manifestations are ruthless and efficient and it took them just six minutes to register the first score as from a midfield scrum the ball was moved rapidly wide out left to Tuilagi who evaded one tackler and brushed off the attempted tackle of Tom Williams to touch down for a try. Twelvetrees added the conversion.  Shortly after, a penalty gave Clegg an opportunity to open Quins’ account, but the kick curved wide.

What appeared to be a successful interception and score as Sam Smith out paced the chasers to the posts was disallowed and called back with a penalty awarded to Tigers for offside.  Twelvetrees increased the Tigers’ lead to 10 – 0.  Quins redouble their attempts to attack and eventually the intervention of the assistant referee gave Quins a penalty, a good line out and another penalty from which Clegg scored.

Tigers’ response was almost immediate as a series of attacks and drives brought them ever nearer to the Quins try line and eventually Hemmingway was driven over and Twelvetrees was successful with the conversion to increase the lead to 17 – 3 after thirty minutes.

Quins redoubled their efforts and mounted a series of attacks which drove Tigers back into their own twenty-two.  A professional foul about fifteen metres out in front of the posts produced a yellow card for Ben Woods and a penalty to Quins who opted for the scrum and against seven forwards, not surprisingly, were awarded a penalty and again opted for the scrum.  This time Guest broke from the base of the scrum and fed Sam Smith who crossed for a try that Clegg converted.

Tigers were not yet done however, and great pressure from the forwards brought them almost to Quins’ try line.  Despite excellent close quarter defending, too many Quins were caught in the pile-up on the line. When the ball was moved right there was a two-man overlap that allowed Hipkiss to score unopposed.  The conversion was missed and at half time Tigers led 22 – 10.

Almost immediately from the start of the second half, Quins went on the attack, trying to make the most of the one man advantage.  Clegg, unexpectedly, missed another penalty attempt.  A fine kick by Lindsay-Hague took play deep into Tigers’ half. A penalty allowed Quins to kick into the corner.  A good catch and drive put Charlie Matthews over for a try converted by Clegg.   But again Tigers response was direct and immediate.  Restored to full strength they built up great pressure on the hard defending Quins pushing them back to their try-line for Tuilagi to dive over for his second try.  Twelvetrees converted. 

With a lead of 29 –17 and the last quarter of the match remaining, Quins continued to have to play catch-up.  Luvenyali replaced Clegg and Drauiniu replaced Lindsay-Hague.  Luvenyali kicked a simple penalty from in front of the posts to narrow the gap to nine points and Quins continue to attack.  Determined forward pressure got the ball across the line but it was held up.

With time running out and Quins pressing hard, a delightful little grubber kick through from the excellent and diminutive scrum-half, Sam Stuart, saw Tom Williams win the race for the touch down.  With what proved to be the final kick of the match, Luvenyali added the conversion, but Quins had failed by two points.