Harlequins finally managed to get their Premiership campaign off the ground
with a well-earned triumph over London Irish.
Quins had suffered another dismal start to the new term with consecutive
defeats against Gloucester, Leicester and Leeds Tykes but they made amends in
front of a full house at The Stoop.
Irish fly-halves Paul Burke and Barry Everitt exchanged penalties early on but
Quins soon asserted their authority when winger Matt Moore put the home side
ahead with a try.
Harlequins used their muscle to drive from a line-out deep into London Irish
territory. The ball was then recycled to the right wing with Moore making
contact to score.
Burke missed the conversion but made amends with two further penalties while
London Irish only managed to convert one further penalty before the break.
Everitt managed to reduce the deficit to 14-9 with his third penalty minutes
into the second half but again Quins soon sneaked ahead.
Forward Ace Tiatia looked like he had done enough to score, but referee David
Pearson denied the try and instead handed Harlequins a scrum.
This time the home side made no mistakes with half-back Scott Bemand and Burke
setting up Ben Gollings to score and create a 10-point cushion.
Substitute David Slemen then continued where Burke left off with a 59th-minute
drop goal but Everitt again kept the Exiles in touch with a fourth penalty.
But Everitt soon made a mistake which cost his side dear. His wayward kick
landed in the clutches of Nick Greenstock who spectacularly charged 60 metres
upfield to score Harlequin's third try. Slemen converted to give Quins a 29-12
lead.
But Irish spirits do not die easily and the visitors once again bounced back
with summer Pieter Rossouw scoring their first try of the afternoon with 71
minutes played.
Everitt converted but London Irish's efforts came too late with Harlequins
securing their first win of the season.
Teams
Harlequins: N. Williams, Moore, Greenstock, Satala, Gollings,
Burke, Bemand, Leonard, Fuga, Gomez, Davison, Codling, Tiatia,
Sanderson, Diprose.
Not Used: Rudzki, Starr, Evans, Sheriff, Duncombe, Jewell,
D. Slemen.
Tries: Moore, Gollings, Greenstock.
Cons: D. Slemen.
Pens: Burke 3.
Drop Goals: D. Slemen.
London Irish: Horak, Barrett,
Burrows, Appleford, Rossouw,
Everitt, Edwards, Worsley, Kirke, Hardwick, Burke, Casey,
Danaher, Dawson, Strudwick.
Not Used: Martens, Mapletoft, Gustard, Cockle, Drotske, Hatley,
Durant.
Tries: Rossouw.
Cons: Everitt.
Pens: Everitt 4.
Att: 7,223
Ref: Dave Pearson (RFU).
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