Earlier in the season Quins had beenawarded the win and Wasps had been docked league points following the awayside's "victory" at the Stoop, which added extra bite to thisencounter.

It was clear that this match would be abattle from the start, as the Wasps pack were turned over having cleanly caughtthe kick off. Harlequins were quickly into the attack and this first movebrought three points as one of many high tackles brought down centre TomLaidler. Wasps saw little of the ball early on, and were unable to get anywherenear the Quins pack in both scrums and lineouts, and soon James Loizos hadtaken another penalty and another three points. It took another 5 minutes untilthe Amateurs went over for a try - fly-half Loizos jinking round five Wasps anddarting over the line. Just minutes gone and Wasps looked astonished by thepace of the match.

The referee was heavily involved in theearly stages, penalising players from both sides for off-side, failure torelease and illegal tackles. Eventually Wasps got their break as Quins failedto react to a penalty allowing the home-side's winger to run unchallenged underthe posts. The remainder of the first half continued to see-saw: First Waspsmanaged a second try, but failed to convert, as the size of the pack rumbledover the line. Second, Quins replied with a try, Will Wessels driving up-fieldand re-establishing the lead. Third, a yellow card for persistent illegal Waspstackling. At half time the game was neatly poised with the Quins ahead 13-12,but with a man advantage.

The second half started just as the firsthad, with the Quins straight into attack and pressuring Wasps into makingmistakes. From a defensive line-out, Quins drove their opposition back, forceda scrum-half fumble and allowed Russell Wigginton to fall on the ball over theline. With the home crowd getting nervous, Quins started to control the play,the forwards driving scrums back and the Quins centres tackling anything thatcame their way. In attack Shaun Phillips and Nick Marren had joy in the backsand up-front Ben Van Rensburg and Ed Lea continually drove forward. EventuallyLoizos converted another penalty to take his day's tally to 13.

With ten minutes to go Wasps scoredagain, using quick hands to reach the corner and although seemingly held-up,the referee awarded a try. With Wasps back on the up, the Quins still pushedforward until the Wasps hooker reduced his team to 14 men with an unnecessaryhigh tackle. Minutes later the referee ended the match, to give Harlequins amuch deserved victory, and a ten point lead at the top of the league.

The Standard Tandoori Man-of-the-Match– Ed Lea

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• January 2008 at Harlequins

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