ComeAllWithin.co.uk - Worcester A 0-33 Harlequins A

When Worcester did have possession and seek to attack, the thrust was fairly easily snuffed out and the Harlequins’ try line was never in danger

It took only ten minutes for the first try. From a scrum on the right wing James Percival broke out of the pile of bodies to canter round behind the posts. Luveniyali converted to make the score 0 – 7. There might have been another score shortly after when as cross kick from Luveniyali found Tom Williams on the left wing, but he was held by the Worcester defence.

As the first quarter ended, Harlequins had another lineout inside the Worcester twenty-two. The forwards drove forward a few metres and then the ball was moved out to the right for Epi Taione to crash over for the try that Luveniyali again successfully converted. Quins continued to defend strongly as Warriors threw themselves at the defensive line. With a turnover in possession to the visitors a rolling maul went twenty metres at speed and allowed the threat to be negated by Gomarsall’s clearance kick.

Despite Worcester’s determined efforts their attacks came to nothing as they lost momentum at set pieces and lost possession too. When they did threaten the defence was determined and accurate. Tackles were made and pressure resisted. Quins turned a Worcester scrum. Another running thrust by the backs ended when the final pass was adjudged forward and Ambrose was denied the score. The half ended with Quins 0 –14 in the lead

For the second half Harlequins changed their whole front row with Pointing, Walker and new Argentinean triallist, Elosu, replacing Lambert, Botha and Croall. Elosu is cover because of the injury to John Brooks and had arrived only earlier in the day to be put straight into action. The scrum continued to dominate in the second half.

The second half started with Worcester trying to increase their pace and attack. It availed them nothing. It was only ten minutes into the half before a fine break from De Wet Barry took play into the Worcester twenty-two. The final pass to Amesbury did not find its target but a knock on gifted Quins an attacking scrum. From the scrum the ball came out to Barry and then to Masson and when he was tackled the forwards successfully carried McMillan over for the third try. The conversion, unusually, was charged down but the score was now 0 –19.

Quins were now even more dominant. A good run by Williams and Amesbury ought to have scored but the defence just held. But now Worcester were looking ragged and further scores were inevitable. From a dropout on the Worcester twenty-two the ball ran loose. Amesbury pounced on it and ran in the try from 40 metres. Seb Jewell added the points for 0 –26 with five minutes remaining.

With very little time left, the Quins backs were suddenly running free as the ball went left along the three-quarters who had been joined by Tom Williams at pace. Williams feinted to pass to Amesbury outside him and as the defender bought the dummy ran in and round to the posts for the fifth Quins try. Jewell again converted successfully.

Five league points leaves Harlequins still behind Wasps who have won twice, so that the match against them at The Stoop on 6^th October is the key to progress in the league.

HARLEQUINS:
15. Tom Williams, 14. Epi Taione, 13. De Wet Barry, 12. Tosh Masson, 11, Charlie Amesbury, 10 Waisea Luveniyali, 9. Andy Gomarsall. 1. Aston Croall, 2. Gary Botha(c), 3. Mark Lambert, 4. James Percival, 5. Jim Evans, 6. Chris York, 7 Neil McMillan, 8. Phil Davies
Replacments: 16. Mickey Pointing, 17. Ignatio Elosu, 18. Stuart Walker, 19. Tom Sargeant, 20. Gareth Williams, 21, Seb Jewell, 22 George Lowe

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