365 Sporting Days

As we approach the start of the Premiership Rugby season proper those teams who’ve played this competition in the orginal spirit it was intended for have strengthened their teams, understandably with no warm up games for the intended main teams. The line ups for this match is as follows, I had to look up a few of the first names for Quins and they seem to have a lot of Wills! I have a thing about Tom’s in cricket and Saracens 23 has 3 Toms, Quins 23 includes 6 Wills! Almost enough for a Sevens team! Quins fans will have been excited to see Joe Launchbury making his first start, I’m a fan so interested to see how he looks – not to good hopefully! I’m moving away from the Ryder Cup to watch and write this up, may the best team win!

Harlequins

• 1 Fin Baxter
• 2 Sam Riley
• 3 Will Collier
• 4 Joe Launchbury
• 5 George Hammond
• 6 Jack Kenningham
• 7 Will Evans
• 8 Alex Dombrandt
• 9 Will Porter
• 10 Will Edwards
• 11 Cadan Murley
• 12 Luke Northmore
• 13 Will Joseph
• 14 Louis Lynagh
• 15 Nick David
• 16 Nathan Jibulu
• 17 Jordan Els
• 18 Will Hobson
• 19 Irne Herbst
• 20 James Chisholm
• 21 Lewis Gjaltema
• 22 Connor Slevin
• 23 Lennox Anyanwu

Saracens

• 1 Tom West
• 2 Tom Woolstencroft
• 3 Ollie Hoskins
• 4 Callum Hunter-Hill
• 5 Nick Isiekwe
• 6 Ollie Stonham
• 7 Toby Knight
• 8 Tom Willis
• 9 Aled Davies
• 10 Manu Vunipola
• 11 Alex Lewington
• 12 Olly Hartley
• 13 Alex Lozowski
• 14 Rotimi Segun
• 15 Tom Parton
• 16 Samson Adejimi
• 17 Sam Crean
• 18 Christian Judge
• 19 Alex Wardell
• 20 Nathan Michelow
• 21 Gareth Simpson
• 22 Francis Moore
• 23 Tobias Elliot

This may have been a cup game but it was still a local derby, always a huge match between these 2 teams! Craig Maxwell Keys was in charge. Saracens laid out their cox kicking game plan early on, with Quins replying in the same vein. The first penalty went Quins way as Cadan Murley put a big hit on Tom Parton. Launchbury collected the ball and with another penalty in their favour Quins battered the line before knocking on. Saracens gave another penalty in the next attack but Quins didn’t need it. The ball was sent out to Louis Lynagh who scored a lovely try in the corner, a great sight for Quins fans. Will Edwards added the extras.

Quins gave away a penalty from the kick off and from in front of the posts Manu Vunipola kicked the 3 points. Whether the idea of kicking to Nick David was going to pay off was going to be key for Saracens, it’s a dangerous plan. Cadan Murley, who really should be in France made the most of a loose ball kicked ahead by Luke Northmore to score Quins 2nd try, Edwards converted and they moved to 14 in the first 10 minutes.

Quins 3rd try came less than 3 minutes later, they’d been in the 22 three times and scored 3 tries, the backs again stormed up the pitch with some involvement from Alex Dombrandt, the Forwards took over and Will Collier scored; Edwards kick was good again and the score was Quins 21 Saracens 3 after 15 minutes .

Quins knocked on from the kick off then gave away a penalty, this time Vunipola kicked to touch. A first opportunity for Saracens to get even close to the Quins line. Toby Knight was in possession of the ball as the maul drove over the line. Vunipola kicked the ball wide for the conversion. I am going to say it now, I’m concerned that Vunipola seems to be Saracens stand in 10 of choice, it’s one thing in this Cup an altogether different matter in the Premiership, he hasn’t kicked on from his early promise for me and has been bettered in each game so far this season other than last week against Nottingham.

Tom Willis gave away, slapping the ball out of Will Porteer’s hands in a ruck, that gave Quins another great attacking platform, a knock on gave Saracens the scrum put in just in from of their posts, Willis came up with the ball and Quins gave away a penalty. The kick from Vunipola wasn’t great and Quins came up with the ball. I have to say it was bizarre to hear Chris Ashton telling us Quins hadn’t given away any penalties as Vunipola was kicking this one to touch (a better kick). Saracens knocked on losing a good attacking opportunity and Quins won the penalty in the scrum.

Another knock on, this time by Quins, Saracens won the ball this time before, knocking on/dropping the ball, Quins won the ball from the scrum but lost the ball with a wayward pass, Alex Lozowski showed his footballing skills running in to score and Saracens had their gifted try, the kick, a had one, was good, and Saracens had closed the gap to 6.

Saracens had their first all on attack and at one point I thought Will Evans had knocked the ball out of Davies hands, but play moved on and Saracens lost the ball. Tom Willis showed his value several times during that attack but to no avail. A penalty gave Edwards a simple kick at the posts and Quins had a lead of 9 with half-time approaching.

There was yet another knock on from the kick off, and Quins and Dombrandt came up with the ball the whistle blew and the teams wen in with the score on Harlequins 24 Saracens 15. A nothing game in terms of this competition for both teams, but no London Derby is a nothing game!

An early penalty in the 2nd half gave Quins a good field position, a line out on Saracens 22. Toby Knight won Saracens a penalty in mid field, well a neck roll on Knight to be precise! Another high tackle nay Quins saw Vunipola kick to touch. Olly Hartley used his power to drive over but the diminutive Porter held him up. Edwards who had been immaculate with his kicking, sent the ball straight out as he kicked the ball off.

Saracens had virtually the whole team in the maul but out fell in a bug heap and the officials looked for a potential try, but Nick Isiekwe had knocked on as he cleared the Quins defender out. So, a missed opportunity for Saracens and another scrum, this one produced a penalty for Quins to clear their lines. Porter kicked the ball away which was taken by Segun, Lozowski ran a great line and with Alex Lewington outside him a try looked on, but the pass was a poor one and Quins were again able to clear their lines. Saracens lost the line out and Quins did Quins things and scored a great ry, running from one end of the pitch to the other, with most of the backs involved and Lynagh looking sharp, Nick David scored the try. The kick was missed but Quins had their 4th try and a lead of 14.

Bizarrely Saracens went for a quick line out after Quins had cleared, that wasn’t allowed they then went for exactly the same move for the actual line out, a move that was quickly closed down , shock!

Quins scored their 5th try after Aled Davies decided not to go for a kick sent up by Murley, which was taken by George Hammond, the ball went out to Will Joseph who scored another cracker. It was upsetting to see Alex Lewington surrounded by medicall staff, but good to see him walk off unaided, also good to hear the applause from the crowd. Connor Slavin on as a sub added the extras.

Vunipola put in a lovely chip kick overs rthe Quins defence but Quins defended well and play went back for an earlier penalty. Another lost line out then a few minutes later another lost in a good opportunity. Saracens eventually decided to go on the attack after a great break by Segun then Parton, Gareth Simpson on for Davies scoring gthe try, the converison was a good one. Saracens trailed by 14 minutes with 16 minutes remaining. Lozowski had been key in the try and was praised by both pundits, I can’t understand why he hasn’t been used at 10 more, he reads the game so well.

Luke Northmore was awarded the Man of the Match accolade by Chris Ashton, playing at Inside Centre he’d had a great game, deserved choice.

Saracens scored a lovely try after Segun made yet another great break, the ball went out to Lozowski who put in a great kick for Tobias Elliot who scored with what was probably his first touch of the ball. Saracens were 7 behind with 3 minutes remaining. Quins closed the game out and had a deserved win.

Alex Lozowski and Rotimi Segun won my MOM between them. The disappointment in this competition continues for Saracens, unlike Europe who won that Ryder Cup back, I haver no interest in golf as a rule, but this competition wow! Europe won by 16 to 11 – Hallelujah!