Quins fightback to claim big win
Sat, 11 Oct 2008 18:48
An inspired second forty minutes from Harlequins earned them an invaluable four points away from home in their Heineken Cup opening round match with Scarlets.
Trailing all the way up until the 65th minute the result represented a fantastic fightback from the Guinness Premiership team.
The home side gave their fans the perfect start with a try for Morgan Stoddart in the very first minute of play. Jones missed the conversion attempt but it was clear that the Welsh side were fired-up for the Heineken Cup opener.
Quins, who have started the new season with much excitement, struggled to get into the game and found themselves a further try try behind after Mark Jones dotted down for the hosts.
Chris Malone then did put the visitors on the board with a penalty kick in the fifteenth minute.
After such an inspired start from Simon Easterby and his men the game did settle down but Jones ensured they kept the board ticking over. Penalty kicks in the 24th, 33rd and 40th minute, meant that took a deserved 19-3 lead into the break.
Quins started clawing their way back into the match with a couple penalties early in the second half taking them to within 10 points before Jones then added his fourth successful penalty in the 51st minute.
With an hour gone, impressive England scrumhalf, Danny Care providing the turning point in the game when he went over for Quins. Malone was successful with the conversion and suddenly the Guinness Premiership side were just six points off their hosts.
A minute later and Scarlets’ troubles mounted. Hooker Matthew Rees was sin-binned and, by the time he rejoined the action, his side were behind.
Malone added another penalty to take the score to 22-19 before exciting wing Ugo Monye gave Will Skinner's men the lead for the first time during the match. The two extra points followed and Quins were now, unbelievably, looking at a memorable win away from home.
A tense final fifteen minutes followed but when Malone converted his fifth penalty in the final minute of play the travelling supporters were able to start enjoying the vital away win in the very competitive Pool 4.
Scorers:
Scarlets:
Tries: Jones, Stoddart
Pens: Jones 4
Harlequins:
Tries: Care, Monye
Con: Malone 2
Pens: Malone 5
Yellow Card: Matthew Rees (Scarlets) 59
Teams:
Scarlets: 15 Morgan Stoddart, 14 Darren Daniel, 13 Regan King, 12 Gavin Evans, 11 Mark Jones, 10 Stephen Jones, 9 Sililo Martens, 8 David Lyons, 7 Gavin Thomas, 6 Simon Easterby (captain), 5 Simon Maling, 4 Vernon Cooper, 3 Kees Meeuws, 2 Matthew Rees, 1 Iestyn Thomas.
Replacements: 16 Ken Owens, 17 Phil John, 18 Scott MacLeod, 19 Nathan Thomas, 20 Martin Roberts, 21 Ceiron Thomas, 22 Rob Higgitt.
Harlequins: 15 Mike Brown, 14 Charlie Amesbury, 13 Gonzalo Tiesi, 12 Jordan Turner-Hall, 11 Ugo Monye, 10 Chris Malone, 9 Danny Care, 8 Tom Guest, 7 Will Skinner (captain), 6 Chris Robshaw, 5 Jim Evans, 4 Ollie Kohn, 3 Mike Ross, 2 Gary Botha, 1 Ceri Jones.
Replacements: 16 Tani Fuga, 17 Mark Lambert, 18 George Robson, 19 Nick Easter, 20 Andy Gomarsall, 21 Epi Taione, 22 Waisea Luveniyali.
