This was a comfortable-enough victory for the Premiership side in the end but
they were made to fight all the way by Division Three South table-toppers
Plymouth Albion.
Two tries from winger Jamie Williams in a two-minute spell shortly before
half-time were the vital scores that eased the Premiership side 24 points clear
and they were able to coast home after that.
Niall Woods opened the scoring for the visitors after only two minutes when he
stroked home a penalty but despite their obvious superiority the London side
were unable to press home their advantage.
Harlequins finally went further in front after 27 minutes after Woods' second
penalty came off the post and centre Nick Greenstock reacted quickly to the
loose ball and after an initial surge scrum-half Peter Richards raced in from
five yards for the try.
Woods made up for his penalty miss by converting and any thoughts of an upset
were quickly dispelled.
However the killer blow did not arrive until five minutes from the break and
Quins once again showed their ability out wide. From a lineout the ball was
ferried to the backs and Jamie Williams was able to power over following a slick
pass from England centre Will Greenwood.
Williams' second try also came from a lineout and again Greenwood supplied the
pass for Williams to stroll in.
There was still time though for the home team to finally warm their large
crowd with a penalty in first-half stoppage time from fly-half Tom Barlow.
Six minutes after the restart Quins showed that they had power up front and
after a rolling maul which was stopped a yard short of the line Greenwood once
again supplied the long pass and this time Daren O'Leary went over in the
corner.
Woods had a difficult touchline conversion but slotted it over with ease. Two
minutes later and the visitors added a fifth try, this time Woods scoring after
good work from O'Leary and former Australian Test flanker David Wilson.
Quins brought on several replacements and the home side managed a consolation
when flanker Roger Thompson was driven over in the right-hand corner.
Teams:
Plymouth: R. Thompson, Walkin, Henwood, R.
Thompson, Matchett,
Barlow, Cane, Paver, Dawe, Reed, Goldsmith, Hart, R. Thompson,
Thomas, Ward-Smith.
Not Used: Bartlett, Trivett, Willis, Durbin, Williams, Trinder,
Atkinson.
Tries: R. Thompson.
Pens: Barlow.
Harlequins: O'Neill, Woods, Greenwood, Greenstock, J. Williams,
Powell, Richards, Hackett, Fuga, Dawson, Codling, Jones,
Jenkins, Wilson, White-Cooper.
Not Used: Friday, O'Leary, Jennings, Starr, Matthews,
Alesbrook, Cross.
Tries: Woods, J. Williams 2, Richards, O'Leary.
Cons: Woods 4.
Pens: Woods.
Att: 3,500
Ref: Nigel Yates (RFU).
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