Bath Take Early Shower as Quins Go Forth

Yes it was that time of the season. The last home game, where fond farewells to departing players are said and the last chance for supporters to cheer on the team from their usual places. A slightly melancholy feel mixed with that end of school, summer holiday feeling. Not only that, there was also the small matter of the winner extending their season by at least a week, if not maybe slightly more

This season seemed to start with much rain when Quins natural preferred playing conditions are warm dry grounds and on Thursday it seemed that the season would end in the same way. Luckily however the rain did manage to hold off and it was only the small matter of a gale to contend with. Bath were still looking for double silverware, Quins now concentrating on just the Premiership. It was all to play for.

Quins struck first with a move started by Charlie Mathews and finished off by a beautiful pass from Danny Care after a few rucks to find Mike Brown on the wing to score.  Both teams seemed to look to run the ball and this was exemplified by a stunning try by Baths Ford who left what looked like the entire Quins team standing as he scored by the posts.

That was the end of the tries. A penalty by Nick Evans meant we were three up at half time. The second half was all out attack but with errors punctuating penalties were the only way points were being scored. The deciding period could be said to be when Matt Banahan was sent to the bin resulting in six points to Quins during the ten minute period. A highlight was a kick-chase where young Mr Sinckler scared that lovely young Mr Stringer into not only taking the ball directly out of play but then conceding a penalty.

Fine margins can go a long way. For me an interesting bit of the game was the use of the TMO. Not too long ago there were complaints that if only the TMO had been able to go back there would be tries ruled out. Now that they can the complaint is the TMO is over used. Certainly from the Quins point of view a 50/50 forward pass call which looked like an Easter score was ruled out, maybe Mr Barnes was practising for a New Zealand match, so fair play. In the end a desperate drop goal attempt by Ford went miles wide and Quins had won.

What to take out of this game? Or even the entire season? From my perspective Quins have looked slightly jaded most possibly to the number of injuries that resulted in a less than settled team. The offloading game has at times looked forced (see Sarries at Wembley) but on the occasions when it has clicked (Worcester away for one) we’ve looked unstoppable. Quins do have the ability to go through to the final however it will be heck of a game to beat Sarries at their patch. Even if we don’t make it at least young players have gained experience however I’ve got to say that it has taken quite a good effort to get this far so onwards and upwards COYQ’s!

Oh yes and one last thing there is the small matter of the tour to New Zealand. To all those Quins selected for the tour I wish you luck and hope you do us proud!