Quins get better of Wasps

Editor

Harlequins held on to record a much-needed 26-23 victory over Wasps in their Premiership clash at the Twickenham Stoop on Saturday.

Harlequins held on to record a 26-23 victory over Wasps in their Aviva Premiership meeting at the Stoop.

Chris Robshaw's try, as well as a penalty try helped Harlequins to a derby day win, though Wasps showed enough promise to prove why they are going for a top four spot this season.

Ben Botica impressed, as Quins come out from three tough opening fixtures with two wins.

Both sides were evenly matched in the opening exchanges, though it was the away side who managed to get the first points. It took almost 20 minutes, but it was a smart move, with Tom Varndell and Elliot Daly working well before Guy Thompson came into the line and touched down.

Ben Botica's boot kept Quins in the game, dispatching two penalties to remind Wasps that week's defeat to Saracens wasn't effecting the hosts.

Though it was a low scoring affair, both teams were full of commitment and honesty, a fact which was appreciated by a vociferous Stoop support.

Andy Goode has been an influential figure for Wasps this season and after his two penalties, plus another three-pointer from Botica, the two sides went in at the break with the visitors 13-9 ahead.

Quins came out after the break with a real determination, and it was one of their big performers who got them back in the game. Robshaw crashed over, and was awarded the try after TMO Rowan Kitt had checked it over. That made it a three point game, and TMO Kitt was once again on hand as Wasps struggled to deal with an onslaught from the home side.

Kearnen Myall had summed up the struggles Dai Young's men were having, pulling back Botica as he chased down his own kick, with referee JP Doyle confirming a penalty try and sending Myall to the bin.

Whatever Conor O'Shea had said at half time seemed to have worked, as his team went into ten point lead.

Despite a Danny Care drop goal, Varndell showed Wasps weren't about to give up when he took in a Joe Simpson pass to charge over in the corner. Wasps pushed, and scored a late try through Thomas Young which secured a bonus point, but couldn't force a win.

The scorers:

For Harlequins:
Tries: Robshaw, Brown
Con: Botica 2
Pen: Botica 3
Drop: Care

For Wasps:
Tries: Thompson, Varndell, Young
Con: Goode
Pen: Goode 2

Harlequins: 15 Mike Brown, 14 Marland Yarde, 13 Harry Sloan, 12 Jordan Turner-Hall, 11 Asaeli Tikoirotuma, 10 Ben Botica, 9 Danny Care, 8 Nick Easter, 7 Chris Robshaw, 6 Luke Wallace, 5 George Robson, 4 Charlie Matthews, 3 Kyle Sinckler, 2 Dave Ward, 1 Joe Marler.
Replacements: 16 Rob Buchanan, 17 Mark Lambert, 18 Will Collier, 19 George Merrick, 20 Jack Clifford, 21 Karl Dickson, 22 Louis Grimoldby, 23 Ollie Lindsay-Hague.

Wasps: 15 Andrea Masi, 14 Christian Wade, 13 Elliot Daly, 12 Chris Bell, 11 Tom Varndell, 10 Andy Goode, 9 Joe Simpson, 8 Nathan Hughes, 7 Guy Thompson, 6 James Haskell (c), 5 Kearnan Myall, 4 Joe Launchbury, 3 Lorenzo Cittadini, 2 Tom Lindsay, 1 Matt Mullan.
Replacements: 16 Ashley Johnson, 17 John Yapp, 18 Jake Cooper-Woolley, 19 James Gaskell, 20 Thomas Young, 21 Charlie Davies, 22 Rob Miller, 23 Alapati Leiua.

Referee: JP Doyle
Assistant Referees: Paul Burton, Gordon Goodliffe
TMO: Rowan Kitt