Harlequins 17-10 London Wasps
By AlanQuin
January 9 2011
A magnificent defensive effort allied to three successful forays into their opponents territory produced a third successive win in the Premiership as Harlequins defeated Wasps by 17–10.
Wasps started the game with determined attacks and were soon throwing themselves at the Quins defensive line. For almost fifteen minutes the visitors had the bulk of possession and Harlequins had to defend staunchly. Then Quins were able to regain possession and attack. They did so with determination retaining possession and driving into the Wasps twenty-two. A cross field kick from Danny Care was plucked miraculously out of the air by Tom Williams, but the winger was unable to get across the line. He was able to recycle the ball and further pressure saw the ball moved rapidly left into the hands of Joe Marler on the left wing. The young prop forward simply went round Haughton and brushed off the tackle of Kefu to score the first try. The conversion attempt failed.
It took only five more minutes for Wasps to score their first points as they created just enough space for Richard Haughton to score in the right corner. Van Gisbergen converted and for the only time in the match Wasps had the lead at 5 – 7.
For twenty-five minutes the referee’s whistle had been fairly silent, allowing play to flow. Only now did it signal the first kickable penalty of the match. Unusually, Nick Evans missed.
Continued Quins pressure produced another penalty in almost the same spot and this time was kicked to touch in the Wasps’ twenty-two. From the lineout Turner-Hall and then Lowe made determined attacks and when the latter was halted five metres short, Care produced quick ball for Mike Brown to score in the left corner. Evans added the conversion.
Then as Wasps attacked from the restart, Quins turned over possession and counter-attacked from deep in their own twenty-two and with superb handling and ball retention, with Mike Brown inches short of scoring through numerous phases until Easter forced his way across the line for Quins’ third try. Evans failed with the conversion attempt but Quins led 17 -7 at the interval.
The second half saw the physical battle intensify as Wasps threw themselves at the Quins’ defence with renewed determination and with increasing frustration as the defence held firm. A quadruple substitution by Wasps after nine minutes brought on fresh props and their usual first choice half backs, Simpson and Walder giving their attacks fresh impetus but no greater penetration.
Walder missed two penalty kicks at goal and eventually, after twenty minutes of the second half, kicked a third attempt successfully. The only score of the half allowed Wasps a losing bonus point. Wasps continued to pen an increasingly tired Harlequin side in their twenty-two but could not break through. The defence was heroic and Wasps’ increasing frustration was the cause of error and ultimate failure.
They know how to win ugly down at The Stoop!
After the game Conor O’ Shea was full of praise for his team saying “The first half was a cracking game of rugby from both sides and then for 40 minutes of the second half we just did not have the ball, couldn't get out of our half and you credit that to Wasps, Our guys were tired and when you are defending, defending, defending, it becomes harder and harder.
"But we are delighted - three wins over Christmas against London Irish, Northampton and Wasps is a pretty good return for us. We feel we are going to get stronger and stronger as a team this year and in years to come and we can play better rugby than we did today," he said.
"But we're where we wanted to be. We're also in the mix in the LV and the Amlin and we have a few tired bodies after this Christmas because they've given a huge amount.
"Defence reflects attitude and you just cannot question what this team mean and do for one another. They were out on their feet, quite frankly, and it's tough to keep on coming back but I'm so proud of them and what they have done over this Christmas."
Harlequins M Brown; T Williams (T Casson, 67), G Lowe, J Turner-Hall, U Monye; N Evans, D Care; J Marler, J Gray (C Brooker, 37), M Lambert, O Kohn (T Vallejos, 61), G Robson, T Guest (W Skinner, 55), N Easter, C Robshaw (capt).
London Wasps M van Gisbergen; R Haughton (D Lemi, 57), B Jacobs (capt), S Kefu (S Jones, 61), T Varndell; R Flutey (D Walder, 49), N Berry (J Simpson, 13-23; 49); T Payne (C Beech, 49), T Lindsay, I Taulafo (B Broster, 49), M Veale, J Cannon, R Birkett, A Powell, S Betsen.
Referee W Barnes (London).
Attendance: 14282
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Thanks Alan
The game's afoot;
Follow your spirit: and upon this charge,
Cry — God for Harry! England and Saint George