The game was kicked off by Rory Clegg into a motivated Irish side. Irish started well by moving the ball left to right, using their width and pace in the backs to outnumber the Quins defence. This worked with devastating effect, with the Irish team breaking the line and moving forward quickly, ending in a penalty in front of the posts from about 35 yds. Peter Hewat converted, 0-3 to the Irish.

However, this lead was to be short lived and the Quins boys started to calm the nerves and play themselves back into the game. With 8 minutes gone, Harlequins broke down the right hand wing using Tosh Masson who was looking dangerous with his pace. A penalty was given for hands in the ruck at a break down, leading to a quick penalty from Steve So’oialo in the middle, offloading to Sam Smith who used his pace to run in a try to the right of the posts. Clegg converts. 7-3.

Harlequins started to dominate and started camping themselves in the Irish half. Their next points came from another penalty converted by Clegg. 10-3.

The next 15 minutes was full of hard running and silly mistakes. Both teams using the full width of the pitch well and breaking down the wings, however these breaks were finished with inaccuracy, dropping balls and knocking it forwards. Without these faults, the score line would have been far tighter.

Another penalty was given to Harlequins after a George Lowe kick into their half. Quick pressure made the Irish fullback fumble and led to a bunch of mistakes on both teams’ behalf. Clegg put this one left of the posts, however this would be an anomaly for the rest of the game.

After some clever kicking by Clegg, and more mistakes from Irish it wasn’t long before Clegg had an opportunity to put 3 more points on the board. This time he didn’t miss. 13-3 to Harlequins.

On the half hour mark, Irish didn’t look like giving up, again using their width and their wingers they started inching into the Harlequins 22, however this was short lived when the Irish pass was put into the hands of Seb Jewell who sprinted away with the ball all the way to the Irish posts, leading to seven more points with a Clegg conversion. 20-3.

By now, confidence was up with Harlequins and they started to look rampant. They started showing the Irish team how to keep ball in hand and play champagne rugby, offloading well and using each other to keep the play going. This led to a clever switch from Seb Jewell into the hands of George Lowe who spun off his tackle and galloped his way through the field touching down on the far right of the try line. Clegg converts again making it 27-3 with 5 minutes to go before half time.

Harlequins had a lapse in concentration, leading to the Irish making a clever break with their centre Jonathan Joseph, who steps inside from the wing before being tackled 5 metres from the line. Quick ball was given to the backs with the prop, Max Lahiff eventually ending up with the ball and stepping through the Harlequins centres and scoring under the posts. Half time ended 27-10.

The Second half was very similar, but Harlequins fitness had the better of the Irish team. Sam Smith showed his pace and timing and was unlucky not to score again. Rory Clegg showed his kicking ability converting another penalty and a try from Rob Buchanan.

Harlequins showed the capability to finish clinically, with Clegg and So’oialo having the ability to control the game and not panic under pressure. It was a valiant effort from the exiles, however Harlequins made the killer blow, finishing them off right to the end.

Final Score: Harlequins A 37 – London Irish 10