Aviva Premiership: Leicester 18 - 13 Harlequins

By AlanQuin
November 21 2010

Harlequins butchered three certain try scoring opportunities that would have given them a clear victory in their second visit to Welford Road in a fortnight.  Instead only a very late consolation try by Tom Williams salvaged a losing bonus point as Tigers won 18 – 13.

The truth of the matter is that, although they played the better rugby, five penalties in the period between the thirtieth minute and the fiftieth minute, kicked successfully by Twelvetrees including two from inside his own half, and the lack of discipline that represented was at least as much to blame.

The kick-off, uncharacteristically, was put directly into touch by Nick Evans.  But a penalty against Tigers at the scrum that followed allowed Evans to open the scoring.  After ten minutes Evans successfully slotted a second penalty kick to increase the score. Harlequins had the bulk of possession and were trying to play with tempo.

A fine break by Tom Guest looked to have created the first try but his final pass to Williams, on the right wing with the line at his mercy, was called forward. A drop goal attempt from Evans slewed wide.

With Tigers on the attack, a penalty on the Quins’ twenty-two gave Twelvetrees the first of his scores.  Quins responded and another fine break by Guest again looked to be a certain try and he approached the posts with Evans to his left and Williams in space on the right wing.  Guest chose to pass to Evans who could not hold on to the ball for Quins to miss their second scoring opportunity.

Before the half ended Twelvetrees punished Quins’ indiscipline.  Two more penalty kicks, the second from 54 metres, gave Tigers the lead at half time at 9 – 6.

The opening minutes of the second half were punctuated at regular intervals with penalties against Quins in the second, fourth ninth and twelfth minutes,  Twelvetrees duly kicked the first three, including one from 58 metres, before inexplicably missing the last but he had opened the score to 18 – 6.

Harlequins’ opportunities for points were rare as Tigers increased their pressure although the Quins’ defence held firm and the home side never really threatened the Quins’ line.  But the Harlequins forwards were gaining superiority in the scrum. Despite that superiority they were unable to make any real progress.  There was at least one opportunity for a try but the ball ran loose and was lost.

Finally as the clock ran down the ball was finally moved accurately and Tom Williams was able to cross in the corner and run round towards the posts for a try which Evans converted to salvage a bonus point.  Once again Tigers had escaped defeat and Quins were the authors of their own misfortunes.

Conor O’Shea was clearly displeased but philosophical. "It was a case of what could have been but our players are sick of saying what could or should have been," O'Shea said.

"It was a game we believed we could win and a game in which we created enough chances in the first half. In the second half we gave away a lot of penalties and they played territory well. We played to the bitter end and created chances but, at times, it looked like it was harder not to score than to score.

"But that is life. We will remain positive and look to finish off these chances when they happen. It is going to be a long old season. We know that."

Leicester: Murphy (capt); Hamilton, Smith, Allen, M Tuilagi; Twelvetrees, Grindal; Bucknall, Chuter, White; Slater, Skivington; Waldrom, Newby, Crane.

Replacements: Parling for Slater (50), Mafi for Parling (51).

Harlequins: Brown; Lowe, Smith, Turner-Hall, Williams; Evans, Dickson; Jones, Gray, Johnston; Vallejos, Robson; Robshaw (capt), Skinner, Guest.

Replacements: Chisholm for O. Smith (65), Brooker for Gray (50), Kohn for Vallejos (60).

Attendace: 17,441

Referee: Wayne Barnes (RFU).