Harlequins 20-9 Connacht

Two trademark moments of brilliance from Tom Guest produced two excellent tries and together with the immaculate kicking of Nick Evans was enough to produce a satisfactory victory over Connacht in the Amlin Cup by 20 – 9.

This was a tough, hard-fought physical battle between two teams who were trying to play expansive running rugby, but were constantly frustrated by excellent defence and the failure to take opportunities when presented. 

It took just seven minutes for Harlequins to open the scoring. A long, high kick from Evans deceived Gavin Duffy who allowed the ball to bounce and was caught by the chasing George Lowe.  When Connacht did kick clear the ball was caught near the half-way line by Tom Williams whose quick throw-in to Evans was passed on to Guest on the visitors’ ten-metre line. Guest’s curving 40 metre run sliced through the defence and despite a last ditch tackle he was able to roll over and stretch for the try.  Evans added the conversion to give Quins a lead which they never surrendered.

In the next few minutes Evans for Harlequins and Nikora for Connacht each successfully kicked penalties and each did so again before the end of the half, although Nikora also missed with one attempt.

Harlequins might have had a second try when a clever chip through the defence from Evans was collected by Brown along the left touchline. Only a fine tackle that put the full-back into touch just short of the line prevented a certain score.  But Harlequins went in at half-time leading 13 – 6.

Connacht started the second half with obvious determination and in attack mode, but the Quins’ defence held firm. Then, ten minutes into the half, Tom Guest snapped up a loose ball twenty-five metres inside the Quins half and breaking clear of the defence set off at pace for the try-line.  His pass to Brown on the Connacht twenty-two made certain of the second try that the full-back efficiently completed. Evans added the conversion to make the score 20 – 6.

A yellow card for Camacho for not rolling away in the tackle seemed a little harsh when he was at the bottom of a ruck under at least three opposition players.  It encouraged Connacht to throw everything into attack but, although they had added another three points from a penalty, they were not able to penetrate the Quins’ defence. Quins might have had another try, too, when Chris York forced his way over but was held up.

Despite the win Harlequins are second in their pool, Bayonne’s win over Cavalieri Prato taking the French to the head of the pool having scored two more tries.  Provided Quins can win in Ireland and Italy, the decisive match will be the visit of Bayonne in January which will be an effective sudden death tie. Hopefully that will not be ridiculous late evening on a Sunday. Last night an attendance of 6345, nearly half the usual gate, told its own story.