Midway through the first half it looked like Falcons were going to cruise towards their first victory in the Guinness Premiership, but just four minutes into the second half Quins had started to seize control of the game and went on to dominate territory and possession, coming back from a 14-3 deficit at half time. They came agonisingly close to a win but time was just not on the visitors' side and they had to settle for a draw.

Quins took the lead with just 5 minutes gone on the clock with three points from the boot of Nick Evans (0-3), but the advantage was short-lived and just 3 minutes later Falcons took the driving seat and took control.

The first of two tries saw the Falcons’ backs combining well and taking advantage of a dozing Quins defence. Falcons fly-half Jimmy Gopperth’s pass to former Quins player, Charlie Amesbury, sent the blonde winger off towards the Quins tryline. Amesbury was halted, but quick ball saw the ball find its way into the hands of Tu'ipulotu, who crashed over the line to score. Gopperth converted. 7-3.

The second try (22 minutes) was helped by the falcons scrum half, Micky Young, who wended his way through the Quins defence to get within striking distance. This time it was the turn of the forwards to finish the attack and second rower, Tim Swinson, powered over to score. Gopperth converted. 14-3.

Quins had their chances, such as a spilled Danny Care ball just metres from the try line, but a lack of composure kept Quins out of the game. Although they had started to step up a gear towards the end of the second half, Quins went in trailing by 11 points at half time.

Evans started the second half the way he started the first, with a three point penalty but, unlike in the first half, Quins didn’t crumble and instead came back fighting, with a reinvigorated spirit.

Quins were starting to stretch the Falcons defence and, after Danny Care took a quick penalty, Ugo Monye took a big bite out of the home side’s lead with an impressive arcing run which saw him score in the corner (46 minutes) 14-11.

Evans and Gopperth exchanged penalties, before Rob Vickers was sin binned for constant infringing and Evans levelled the score with a kick in front of the posts (75 minutes) 14-14.

Evans tried to grab the deserved victory but his attempt sailed just wide of the posts and Quins had to settle for the draw. After three losses so far in the Guinness Premiership, tonight’s second half performance will hopefully give the side the lift they need to get back to winning ways.