Evans stars as Quins sparkle
Harlequins star Nick Evans scored 20 points as John Kingston’s men recorded a 35-29 victory over Gloucester at the Twickenham Stoop on Saturday.
Both teams came into the match needing a victory but it was Quins who made the most of their chances and left the Stoop the happier of the two sides.
The home team started the match very well with Danny Care, as he always does, quickening the pace and looking to cut through the Gloucester line.
Gloucester responded though and were the first team to score when Freddie Burns slotted home his second attempt.
After 14 minutes the visitors went further ahead as Gareth Delve barged over the line.
Quins quickly replied with a try of their own thanks to some good work from Olly Morgan and Care The duo created space for centre George Lowe to finish.
Young Charlie Sharples grabbed the first of his two tries on the night on 23 minutes after some determined work up against Mike Brown.
Evans responded with two penalties, narrowing the gap, but the game was very much in the balance.
The All Black then leveled the scores, 13-all, with half an hour gone but Gloucester bounced back – Burn slotting a penalty.
The first period came to a fantastic end with Evans scoring a superb solo try – stepping two defenders and handing off a third.
Returning captain Nick Easter scored Quins’ third try just six minutes into the second half – powerinf his way over after a good pass from Care.
Care was central again to try No.4 as he ripped through the Gloucester defence and sent Lowe through for his second try.
A Nicky Robinson penalty narrowed the gap before Sharples went over for his second, taking the score to 32-26.
The two kickers exchanged penalties, meaning the score ended six point in the favour of the home side.
The scorers:
For Harlequins:
Tries: Lowe 2, Evans, Easter
Con: Evans 3
Pen: Evans 3
For Gloucester:
Tries: Delve, Sharples 2
Con: Robinson
Pen: Burns 2, Robinson
Harlequins: 15 Mike Brown, 14 David Strettle, 13 George Lowe, 12 Nils Mordt, 11 Ugo Monye, 10 Nick Evans, 9 Danny Care, 8 Nick Easter (c), 7 Chris Robshaw, 6 Tom Guest, 5 George Robson, 4 James Percival, 3 John Andress, 2 Tani Fuga, 1 Ceri Jones.
Replacements: 16 Chris Brooker, 17 Aston Croall, 18 Mark Lambert, 19 Lewis Stevenson, 20 Neil Mcmillan, 21 Karl Dickson, 22 Rory Clegg, 23 Tom Williams.
Gloucester: 15 Olly Morgan, 14 Charlie Sharples, 13 James Simpson-Daniel, 12 Tim Molenaar, 11 Tom Voyce, 10 Freddie Burns, 9 Dave Lewis, 8 Gareth Delve (capt), 7 Jake Boer, 6 Peter Buxton, 5 Dave Attwood, 4 Will James, 3 Greg Somerville, 2 Darren Dawidiuk, 1 Nick Wood.
Replacements: 16 Scott Lawson, 17 Paul Doran-Jones, 18 Pierre Capdevielle, 19 Adam Eustace, 20 Akapusi Qera, 21 Jordi Pasqualin, 22 Nicky Robinson, 23 Lesley Vainikolo
Referee: Tim Wigglesworth
