QUINS WIN BG6 : Harlequins 22 - 6 Exeter Chiefs
By Alanquin
December 29 2013
With a scintillating display of running rugby and with a fine exhibition of their devastating off-loading game combined with excellent defence, Harlequins took control of Big Game 6 against Exeter at headquarters with three tries before half-time. They ultimately won 22 – 6 and were clearly disappointed to have failed to get a try bonus point, despite a number of good chances.
From the start Exeter demonstrated that they were going to try to play Harlequins at their own game and rather than kick clear they sought to run the ball from their own twenty-two. Inevitably this was a course that led to disaster as Quins turned the ball over at a ruck, Ward and Marler took the ball forward and moved it left to Wallace whose pass to Evans gave the fly half an easy run in for a try with two more Harlequins clear outside of him. The simple conversion opened a seven point lead in only the third minute of the match.
A penalty for a dangerous tackle allowed Exeter to pull back three points but really there was only one team in control of their own destiny. A brilliant move, with Care sweeping round the tail of the lineout to gather an overthrown ball, ought to have brought another try but Tom Casson was stopped two metres short. Yet another opportunity went begging when a fine break by Mike Brown saw him ignore Charlie Walker outside him when the pass might have brought a certain score.
Meanwhile Evans was having an uncharacteristically poor day from the kicking tee, looking puzzled as his first attempt slid left of the left hand post and his second, scuffed, shot fell short. It mattered little as Quins continued to dominate play and field position. The some fantastic passing and handling between Robshaw, Easter and Ward along the left touchline took play into the Exeter twenty-two before the ball was moved right to Wallace and Hopper before the final pass to Walker allowed the winger to step past the only Exeter defender and score the second try. Evans conversion attempt hit the right hand post and rebounded.
A yellow card, for a late and dangerous tackle on Hopper after he had given the final pass to Walker, reduced Exeter to fourteen men for the last eight minutes of the half. Harlequins made them pay dearly for the sin as with time running out. Ward turned the ball over at a ruck and Danny Care broke from the base of the breakdown with Mike Brown in support to take Care’s try-scoring pass and putting the full back in under the posts. The simple conversion took the half time lead to 19 – 3.
The second half saw Exeter step their performance up a notch or two and achieve a greater amount of possession and control. Quins went in search of the elusive try bonus point while Exeter looked to salvage something from the game. Both sides were strong in defence and the scoreboard only recorded a penalty for each side. Exeter had their chances with a series of penalties and scrums close to the Harlequin try line but the Quins’ defence held firm and eventually Easter turned the ball over and gained a penalty to relieve the pressure. Quins, too, had chances but the Exeter defence was effective.
For Harlequins there were some fine performances from Ward, Easter and Wallace in the forwards. In the backs Care, Hopper, Brown and Walker ran dangerously and with penetration. Robshaw led them industriously and imperiously as ever
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Quote:gregory p
That's a good report and thanks for it and the many others over the year.
+1
