Gloucester United 23-29 Harlequins A

Harlequins won an hard fought and error strewn A League match against Gloucester United at Kingsholm by 23 – 29 despite failing to capitalise on at least three try scoring chances in the course of the game.

It was trying to snow as the teams ran out onto a gloomy Kingsholm with the ghostly presence of an empty Shed giving it an unnatural air. A knock on from the kick off gifted Quins an early attacking scrum and a chip through might have brought the first score, but the ball beat Mantella to the dead ball line in the very small in goal area.

Gloucester were soon on the attack and a good chip ahead just rolled into touch short of the line. Quins were disrupted at the lineout and tapped the ball back over their own line untidily for Gloucester prop Yann Thomas to touch down for the first try.  The conversion was missed.

A fine Quins attack with Chisholm, Sam Smith and Browne was stopped just short of the Gloucester line and when the ball came back from the ruck Clegg’s cross field kick found York, but in an offside position. Then a penalty taken quickly by Dickson was chipped through for Mantella to touch down and, despite the protests of the Gloucester faithful who believed the ball had gone dead, the try was awarded and Clegg added the extras.

The lead did not last long as Gloucester redoubled their attacks and eventually put May in for their second try.  Once again Taylor failed to add the conversion. The slender lead was soon wiped out as a successful penalty kick from Clegg levelled the scores at 10 – 10.

Then a long kick for the corner by Clegg was prevented from finding touch by a defender, but he palmed the ball back over the Gloucester try line for it to run dead and conceded a five metre scrum. Not for the first time, Quins contrived to lose the set piece against the head.

With time running out, a penalty put Gloucester back in the lead but almost on the stroke of time Rob Buchanan managed to burrow over for Quins’ second try. Clegg’s conversion attempt missed and at half-time Quins led 13 – 15.

From the restart a penalty to Gloucester as Quins blocked the chasers allowed Ryan Mills to regain the lead.  But only a minute or two later a good touch from a penalty gave Quins an attacking lineout and a good catch and drive put Brooker over for a try.  Once again Clegg missed with his conversion attempt, but Quins now led 16 – 20.

A yellow card for Gloucester replacement Matt Betty for not rolling away allowed Clegg to extend the lead and he did so again with another penalty before Gloucetsr were back to full strength.  The Gloucester were able to turn defence into attack as a fine kick ahead left the defenders flat footed and Jonny May outstripped all chasers as he kicked a second time and followed to score a fine solo try.  Mills added the extras and the score became 23 – 26 with less than ten minutes remaining.

Quins were awarded another penalty as Gloucester went offside and Clegg extended the Harlequin lead. Thereafter Quins resisted all Gloucester attacks and held on for the win.