The sting taken out of Wasps

By this time last year we had played six matches but most significantly already lost to Saracens, Exeter and Tigers and there were very early cries of doom and gloom for the season ahead which turned out to be well founded. I think it is true to say that there is a much more optimistic feeling around The Stoop this year following a raft of new signings and some encouraging displays in the pre-season games. A quick look at the team sheets seemed to indicate that we could be in for a good game with both back rows looking particularly competitive; it is a very long time since I have seen such a strong Quins bench for a game. 

A lively opening by Quins but following a series of penalties to the hosts they eventually went ahead after 6 minutes with 3 points from the boot of Jimmy Gopperth.  From the restart Quins were quickly awarded a penalty with Evans bringing the score level after 7 minutes. A good break from Quins saw Ollie Lindsay-Hague chip the ball through for Marland Yarde to chase and with Wasps held on their own 22, Luke Wallace won a penalty which was duly converted by Nick Evans, 6 – 3 after 14 minutes.

From the restart a good phase of play saw Wasps edging closer and closer to the Quins line with Jake Cooper-Wooley forcing his way over the line in the corner despite the efforts of OLH, conversion missed, 6 – 8 after 16 minutes. Both teams playing expansive rugby with Wasps just edging things up to this point just  before a crunching tackle by James Horwill on his fellow countryman George Smith. Quins starting to put some phases together with some good interplay between OLH and Yarde but it was a clever chip through by Dickson which led to Evans gathering the bouncing ball to glide past Christian Wade to score Quins first try. Conversion added by Nev to bring the score to 13 – 8 after 26 minutes. The next points went to Wasps after Lambert penalised in the set piece so another straightforward 3 points for Gopperth after 30 minutes, seems to be a few issues with obtaining a stable scrum. A penalty attempt by Evans hit the uprights and the ball cleared to touch by Simpson and Gopperth missed a penalty kick just before half time for the score to remain at Quins 13, Wasps 11 at the interval.

It was 6 minutes into the second half before the next score which saw a neat delayed pass from Evans to George Lowe 7 metres out who wriggled his way over the line, conversion added by Evans, 20 – 11. Quins turned down another shot at goal shortly afterwards as Evans kicked to the corner, but as invariably happens in these cases, it led to nothing.

First Quins substitutions on 55 minutes with Lambert, Ward and Jones being replaced by Marler, Gray and Sinkler respectively and a great cheer for Mike Brown who replaced OLH. A long period of sustained pressure by Wasps without really making much headway eventually leads to a penalty in front of the posts easily converted by Gopperth, 20 – 14 after 59 minutes. Simpson, Hughes, Bassett and Cannon replaced for Wasps and another great cheer for Nick Easter who came on to replace Luamanu.  More attacking play from Wasps saw Rob Miller break through the Quins defence only to be brought down by the ever dependable Mike Brown. Mullans replaced in the Wasps front row which inevitably led to a scrum penalty to Quins, good long touch by Evans but the attack finally petered out. Cooper-Wooley and Ashley Johnson replaced by Wasps with Charlie Matthews coming for James Horwill towards the end.

Two further penalties to Quins on 70 and 75 minutes seemed to put the game beyond Wasps but with 3 minutes to go a well taken try by Elliot Daly converted by replacement flyhalf Jackson led to a nervous end to the match for Quins and the home supporters . Final result Quins 26, Wasps 21.

A good all round performance by Quins and a very enjoyable match, with Wasps certainly playing a full part as did referee Luke Pearce. Nick Evans seems to be back to his very best with some great line breaks and dependable kicking and the other old man of the team showed his class when he came on. Lowe and Sloane looked solid in the centre and Marland Yarde continued with the form that he showed pre-season linking up well with OLH. Quins can now boast some real depth in all positions except perhaps although I still feel nervous about a long layoff by Nev. I thought there were a lot more supporters at the game than the 11500 announced after the match which was borne out by later press reports confirming over 13000 attendees.

Early days yet but the indications are that we should be able to look forward to a more successful campaign in the 2015/16 season.