The local bragging rights that have been a feature of this local 'London Derby' match for decades moved down the A316 this afternoon for the first time in three years! NEC Harlequins outscored their neighbours by four tries to two; in the process they provided a valuable lesson in how essential it is to take your chances when they are on offer.
The match was decided in two brief, defining periods, one in each half. The first occurred in the opening period just after the mid-point when Harlequins scored two converted tries in two minutes to dent Irish's ambitions. The second took place just after the interval when the home side touched down for another two tires, this time in six minutes. Outside of these two crucial periods the Exiles tried to compete but were victims of a combination of a streetwise home team - especially at the breakdown, and their own inconsistencies.
A capacity crowd turned up on a sunny, Spring afternoon in Easter Holiday mood and there was pre-match expectation of an entertaining match about the Stoop. In fairness the on-field action did not disappoint if you were a home supporter, the large contingent of London Irish supporters present will have left disappointed with the overall performance of their team.
The home team showed determination and enterprise from the kick-off. Andrew Merthens opened the scoring with a penalty in the third minute although Barry Everitt responded with one for Irish in the sixth minute when Harlequins were penalised for not rolling clear at a ruck. The out half had a chance to put Irish ahead three minutes later with a penalty awarded for a similar offence, this time however Everitt's kick drifted wide. Merthens was accurate with his second penalty attempt in the 12th minute when he restored the lead for his team.
Irish tried to orchestrate a period of concerted pressure but were out-manoeuvred at the breakdown by a shrewd Quins' back row. The home team had the better of the exchanges as the game entered its second quarter and it was unsurprising when a period of sustained pressure resulted in captain, Paul Volley driving over under the posts.
The home team seized the initiative from the re-start. Gaps opened in the Irish defence and a series of direct runs at the defence caused holes to open. The ball was moved left, full back Mike Brown was the recipient and he had sufficient pace to race over for his team's second try in two minutes. Merthens added both conversions for a 20-3 lead for his team.
The action became more frenetic as Irish tried to stage a comeback. Sailosi Tagicakibau and Phil Murphy combined in one break and Topsy Ojo and Riki Flutey broke on the right in a second. In both cases the home defence coped with the threat.
Whereas the Andrew Merthens ' Andy Gomarsall half-back pairing was working efficiently for the home team, their opposite numbers Barry Everitt and Paul Hodgson were having an unhappy afternoon. While Seilala Mapusua and Nils Mordt did their best with poor quality possession, the home defence had little difficulty in nullifying their efforts.
It was a Mapusua inspired break that eventually led to Tagicakibau breaking down the left in the 36th minute. He combined with Flutey and the latter was able to speed away from the defence to touch down left of the posts. Everitt added the extras to narrow the gap to 20-10 as the interval approached.
Although Irish had the benefit of the re-start it was clear from the way Harlequins responded that they were determined to build on their lead. Sure enough it took only a couple of minutes before 'man of the match' Chris Hala'Ufia broke through midfield, he was supported by Andrew Vos. Although the pair were effectively tackled the ball was quickly re-cycled right by Gomarsall where it was received by David Strettle. The young England winger had time and speed to race in and touch down in the right corner. Merthens added an outstanding conversion from the touchline. Just the start to the second half that Irish didn't need!
Olivier Magne replaced Steffon Armitage as Irish tried to re-dress their problems at the breakdown. However, the initiative was with the home team and they made their visitors pay with another try that originated in a classy Merthens' pass to Stuart Abbott. The England international touched down just left of the post to leave his provider with an easy conversion. The bonus point-winning try gave Quins a 34-10 lead with 32 minutes remaining.
The Irish lineout which had performed to its usual high standard in the opening period, began to stutter like other aspects of the Exiles' performance. The frustration began to show in a series of off the ball incidents. Inevitably somebody was going to get sin-binned and it was Quins' lock, Jim Evans that was penalised in the 61st minute.
Irish tried to capitalise on their numerical advantage and enjoyed the most sustained period of pressure of the game keeping the home team pinned just short of their try line. Good defence combined with poor decision making meant that the visitors failed to capitalise.
With two minutes remaining Richie Rees combined with Olivier Magne to set up a try-scoring opportunity for the tireless Kieran Roche who touched down left of the posts. Nils Mordt added the extras but it was a case of too little, too late. Quins comfortably managed the final minutes until full time to finish with a 17 point winning margin and five league points that closed the gap on their visitors to one point.
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Scorers: NEC Harlequins: Tries: Volley (22), Brown (24), Strettle (42), Abbott, 48), Conversions: Merthens 4. Penalty goals: Merthens 2 (3, 12). London Irish: Tries: Flutey (36), Roche (78); Conversions: Everitt, Mordt. Penalty goal: Evertit (6).
Scoring sequence (NEC Harlequins first): 3-0, 3-3, 6-3, 13-3, 20-3, 20-10 (half-time) 27-10, 34-10, 34-17.
NEC Harlequins: M Brown, D Strettle, M Deane, S Abbott (rep: T Williams, 50), S Keogh, A Merthens, A Gomarsall (rep: S So'oialo, 56), C Jones, J Hayter (rep: J Richards, 60), M Ross (rep: R Nebbett, 71), O Kohn, J Evans (sin-bin: 61-71), A Vos, P Volley(captain)(rep: W Skinner, 60), C Hala'Ufia (rep: T Guest, 71).
London Irish: R Flutey, T Ojo, S Mapusua, N Mordt, S Tagicakibau, B Everitt (rep: J Bishop, 67), P Hodgson (rep: R Rees, 74), N Hatley, R Russell (rep: D Paice, 49), T Lea'aetoa (rep: M Collins, 56), J Hudson, B Casey (captain)(rep: G Johnson, 72), K Roche, S Armitage (rep: O Magne, 43), P Murphy (rep: O Magne, 39-H/T) (rep: D Danaher, 67).
Referee: Mr David Rose (RFU)
Attendance: 12,600