The Great Escape: Wasps 40 - 42 Harlequins
By Alanquin
September 2 2012
Showing the character, determination, resolution and skill of champions, Harlequins clawed back a twenty-seven point deficit to snatch an unlikely victory with a long range penalty from Nick Evans adding to four second-half tries scored in twelve minutes.
For nearly three-quarters of this pulsating exhibition of running rugby, Harlequins looked anything but champions. For most of the first half they had less than ten per cent possession and had seen the Wasps’ wingers, Wade and Varndell, apparently running in tries at will. The first of those tries came in only the third minute as the wingers combined as part of a three man overlap and Varndell put the electric Christian Wade in to touch down. Robinson added the conversion.
Two penalties extended the deficit and then the two wingers again combined for Varndell to score and with the conversion Wasps led by 20 – 0 after twelve minutes. Then a quickly tapped penalty following an offence at a lineout saw the ball offloaded from Care to Easter to Robshaw and finally to Tom Williams who broke clear to score under the posts. Evans added the extras.
But another penalty from Robinson and another electric finish from Wade extended the Wasps’ lead to 28 – 7 and there seemed little chance of recovery as mistakes abounded and possession of the ball was with Wasps. Evans kicked two successful penalties to reduce the deficit again.
Just before the end of the half, Varndell appeared to have scored again, but under the new and extended duties of the television match official the “score” was referred by the referee for a suspected forward pass early in the build-up and finally disallowed leaving the half-time score 28 – 13.
The second half began with Wasps again attacking in determined fashion and Quins were seeing little possession of the ball. Then Varndell was again clear and running and as tackled into touch by Brown offloaded out of the back of his right hand to Wentzel who ran on to score. Robinson’s kick drifted wide. Four minutes later Wasps added yet another try from Tim Payne and the successful conversion extended the lead to 40 – 13 with twenty three minutes remaining.
A triple substitution, with Dickson, Guest and Chisholm replacing Care, Fa’asavalu and Hopper seemed to change the dynamic. Chisholm chased and caught a restart to produce field position Then Guest charged down a clearance kick from Robinson close to Wasps’ line and gathered the bouncing ball and scored between the posts. Evans added the simple conversion. Barely two minutes later, another rapid Quins’ attack saw the ball moved rapidly left with a superb take and pass from Evans for Mike Brown to score in the corner. Evans’ conversion attempt hit the post.
The game had hardly restarted when Quins were again on the attack and a superb cross-field kick from Nick Evans was collected by Mike Brown for another try and this time Evans successfully added the extras for 40 – 32. Harlequins continued to attack and deny Wasps any ball and this time with a series of close passes and offloads it was Evans who broke clear and shrugging off two tackles scored Quins’ fifth try and duly converted it to bring the deficit to a single point.
There was inevitability about the penalty at a scrum with five minutes remaining and just inside the Wasps’ half that Evans kicked straight and true for the lead. Quins held on to that lead for the final whistle and an unlikely victory!
Wasps: H Southwell; T Varndell, E Daly, A Masi (48 C Mayor), C Wade; N Robinson, J Simpson (N Berry 60-73); T Payne, T Lindsay (T Rhys Thomas 55), F Staibano (S McIntyre 68), J Launchbury, M Wentzel, J Haskell (T Palmer 63), J Poff, B Vunipola.
Harlequins: M Brown; T Williams, M Hopper, J Turner-Hall, G Lowe; N Evans, D Care (K Dickson 56); J Marler, J Gray (R Buchanan 62), J Johnston, O Kohn, G Robson, M Fa’asavalu (T Guest 57), C Robshaw, N Easter.
Referee: G Garner (RFU)
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.
I'm sorry but Marler, Care, Robshaw to name but a few kept my flame alight I thought it was fantastic and at half time when it was 20/13 like a fool I assured my son who introduced me to the game, that it was the same in the semi "You watch son, after half time they will come back and take the game no probs."
I have always been a lucky fool and Wyddy my son says I am now a Quins mascot as I have never been to a losing game.
so from a 74 year old newbie mascot "COME ON YOU QUINNS"
Wyddy
COYQ
good luck for the rest of the campaign