END OF HEINEKEN HOPES: Harlequins 13 - 16 Clermont Auvergne

Despite a brave effort Harlequins failed in their attempt to get to the knockout stages of the Heineken Cup as, despite a ten point lead at half time, the luck that is an inevitable concomitant of victory turned against them.  That, combined with the power and physicality of the French league leaders, brought defeat by 13 – 16.

 An almost immediate penalty in the first minute put Clermont into a three point lead. They continued to dominate possession and to threaten to break through the Quins’ defence.  A penalty against the French at a lineout catch and drive brought Quins a first chance of point, but Evans, surprisingly, failed with his kick.

Two unforced errors butchered clear try scoring chances for Clermont as, first, Nalaga failed to hold on to fine cross-field kick from his fly half with the line at his mercy and then Lee, with a clear ten metre run to the line, knocked on the pass that should have brought the score.

But when Quins play with determination, belief and flair, the unexpected can happen. Suddenly it did happen.  A quickly taken penalty from Care gave the ball to Monye and then to Robshaw who, unusually, chipped ahead.  The ball was about to go into touch, but Care contrived, despite two Clermont tacklers in close pursuit and with both feet off the ground, to throw a reverse pass that found Hopper who cantered to the line for a magical try. Evans added the extras.

Two further successful penalty kicks at goal by Nick Evans, the second following a fine, characteristic break by the fly half through the Clermont defensive line, put Quins into a ten point lead at 13 – 3.  Quins continued to the interval benefitting form unforced errors and turnovers.

Luck started to run against Quins five minutes into the second half as kick ahead from Parra took a sharp break away from Mike Brown as the full back went to gather it. Attempting to turn he slipped and Nalaga hacked on and won the race to touch down. The conversion attempt failed.  The Clermont kicker failed again with a penalty as the game moved into the last quarter.

A penalty for Harlequins gave Evans a vital opportunity to put Quins two scores ahead, but the fly half missed.  Luck continued to run against Quins.  But it was Clermont’s power and ability that turned the tide and they got sufficient go forward to be pounding the Quins line from close range, tying in defenders so that when the ball was moved right Sivivatu was able to score unopposed in the corner. The conversion attempt missed and the scores were level at 13 – 13.

With five minutes remaining Clermont scored again with a penalty and Quins were staring down the barrel of defeat.  With two minutes remaining an eminently kickable penalty, that would have produced a draw but left Quins out of the knockout stage of the Heineken Cup. was kicked to touch for an attacking lineout.  But the throw was adjudged not straight.  The Clermont scrum is a powerful weapon, but when Quins won this one against the head there was one last chance.  They duly attacked, but Easter was held up and the game was up too.