Two from two: Harlequins
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Harlequins cemented their position at the top of Pool 3 after recording a 30-22 victory over Connacht on Saturday.
In an entertaining opening half, it was the visitors who led 24-19 at the break after a double from England international Danny Care with the rest of their points coming from the boot of Ben Botica.
The Irish province had taken a 19-9 advantage through Dave McSharry's converted try and four Dan Parks' penalties. Despite the second half being a slightly more disappointing affair, the visiting stand-off added two further three-pointers to Parks' one to seal the win.
Connacht famously ousted Quins from the competition last season after defeating the English team 9-8 in windy conditions. They hinted at a similar outcome in the early exchanges.
Although Botica continued his fine kicking form from last week with a third minute penalty, McSharry touched down for the hosts.
The respective fly-halves then traded penalties as the Irish province opened up a 10-6 advantage after 12 minutes. Botica reduced the arrears from the tee before three successive three-pointers by Parks extended the home side's advantage.
It was at that moment when the visitors lifted the tempo and the Galway-based outfit struggled to cope. Care got the first of his tries after finding a gap in the opposition's defence following a scrum on the 22.
He then sniped around the fringes once again to put Harlequins level. The visitors' fly-half converted to give them the lead before the same player added a late penalty as Quins opened up a five-point cushion at the interval.
Parks and Botica traded penalties early in the second period as the score moved to 27-22 in the English team's favour. And Botica confirmed the win with a final three-pointer.
The scorers:
For Connacht:
Try: McSharry
Con: Parks
Pens: Parks 5
For Harlequins:
Try: Care 2
Con: Botica
Pens: Botica 6
The teams:
Connacht: 15 Robbie Henshaw, 14 Tiernan O'Halloran, 13 Eoin Griffin, 12 Dave McSharry, 11 Fetu'u Vainikolo, 10 Dan Parks, 9 Kieran Marmion, 8 George Naoupu, 7 Willie Faloon, 6 John Muldoon, 5 Mike McCarthy, 4 Michael Swift, 3 Nathan White, 2 Adrian Flavin, 1 Dennis Buckley.
Replacements: 16 Jason Harris Wright, 17 Brett Wilkinson, 18 Ronan Loughney, 19 Dave Gannon, 20 Johnny O'Connor, 21 Dave Moore, 22 Miah Nikora, 23 Mata Fifita.
Harlequins: 15 Mike Brown, 14 Tom Williams, 13 Matt Hopper, 12 Jordan Turner-Hall, 11 Sam Smith, 10 Ben Botica, 9 Danny Care, 8 Nick Easter, 7 Chris Robshaw, 6 Maurie Fa'asavalu, 5 George Robson, 4 Ollie Kohn, 3 James Johnston, 2 Rob Buchanan, 1 Joe Marler.
Replacements: 16 Dave Ward, 17 Mark Lambert, 18 Will Collier, 19 Charlie Matthews, 20 Tom Guest, 21 Karl Dickson, 22 Rory Clegg, 23 Seb Stegmann.
Comments
provyd says...
Congratulations to Harlequins on beating a team that are never a pushover at home, whoever the opposition are. I wonder why the match report didn't mention what the weather was like this time, when the "windy conditions" in January were obviously deemed to be a factor in Connacht's win? Did Harlequins only win this time because there was no wind? ;)
Posted 15:10 22nd October 2012
kybone says...
liam2me- Last week Irelands BEST team beat Englands 5th team 9-6 AT HOME. And they barely deserved that! I know you're just on the wind up but i thought i'd mention it.
Posted 13:17 21st October 2012
connaughtabu says...
Had the pleasure of attending the game - place packed with 7000 fans (?!), so no chance to get a beer, so made to with chanting and hurling abuse at the French ref, who we naturally felt was bias against Connacht! I have to admit the Quins are a well-oiled team, everything done to a plan, even Care's well taken snipe for his try! I would like to see a top team showing more spontaneity a-la-All Blacks.
Of the scrumhalves on show I was more inpressed with Kieran Marmion, who partnered Dan Parks so well. He has a beautiful quick pass that he spins out without hesitation, he was always busy behind the less dominant pack and was about the paddock putting in tackles. As for Dan Parks, I really cannot believe that the Scottish franchises and even Scotland don't need this talented footballer's services. When Connacht some good ball he orchestrated some lovely moves, his spin passes are a sight to behond, and as for his place-kicking, well!
The Connacht pack were always going to have a tough night against the bigger Quins. Prop Buckley looked half the size of his opposite number, but he hung on in there manfully. Perhaps he should consider moving to hooker? Mick McCarthy "put a bit of stick about" in the locks and Ireland's "quiet man" No6 John Muldoon had a good evening, turning over ball on a number of occasions.
As for No8s, Connaught's George Naoupu gave his usual 100% and must surely have carried the ball more often and further than Nick Easter. Easter, he is a big boy, a talented fottballer and I am sure his mummy loves him, but there must be better No8s in England than him? As a Connacht fan, I'm happy with George!
Anyway, congratulations Quins on a good win and thank you Connaught for doing us proud!
Connaught abú
:-))
Posted 08:35 21st October 2012
TVaddict says...
@liam2me
Didn't Leinster get crushed by this team under a month ago? Though so. Obviously Leinster are crap by your logic. Thanks for the help there.
Posted 00:05 21st October 2012
dangerous says...
I thought that name sounded familiar. Slight irony. Botica was in the shadow of fox. Evans in the shadow of carter. Ok just thought I'd mention it.
Posted 22:27 20th October 2012
Lucasrg says...
I'm pretty sure that if tomorrow, Ben Youngs, will not perform superb....number 9 for England this November test's it's surely Danny Care
Posted 21:56 20th October 2012
NHsaints says...
Easter for Lions 8, there's very little doubt in my mind that he's the best 8 in britain at the moment. I wouldn't say the hemisphere because I've not seen him head to head with Picamoles.
Posted 21:31 20th October 2012
liam2me says...
The English champs struggling to beat Irelands 4th team, doesn't say much
Posted 21:08 20th October 2012
melkdave says...
All credit to Connacht really took the game to Quins,and boy did they give them something to worry about.Vainkolo looks a real find at 11 ,very dangerous runner,as was most of Connachts team today ,ran hard and direct,and offloaded well.I really do admire them ,as ive said elsewhere they punch well above their weight.Harlequins though weathered the storm,and unleashed their own D.Care was outstanding and has surly sucured the 9 shirt for England this aurtum.and eventually Quins got on top,and got the possesion and territory,to go with their dominace.
Posted 20:13 20th October 2012