Quins give Welsh a rude awakening
Harlequins handed Premiership newcomers London Welsh another rude awakening when they recorded a comprehensive victory in their first home game of the season.
In comparison to last week's dramatics, Harlequins were far more clinical in both attack and defence scoring six tries and conceding none with a 40-3 victory.
The conditions suited Harlequins' open playing style and the Stoop was treated to three first half tries thanks to George Robson and a brace from Ugo Monye. Nick Evans was on form to convert and with only one penalty from Welsh, Harlequins lead 21-3 at the break.
With Harlequins continuing to employ their expansive style in the second half, Welsh constantly tried to drain the pace of the game. The newly promoted side conceded the bonus point try with Robson's brace early in the second half.
George Lowe and debutant Ben Botica finished off the scoring after the hour mark to put the score beyond any doubt.
With this result, Harlequins sit at the top of the Aviva Premiership with the rest of the weekend's fixtures to play.
Minutes after kick-off, Robson opened the scoring. The second row capitalised from an outstanding piece of back play. Nick Evans produced a lovely weighted chip kick for Jordan Turner-Hall. The centre powered into the 22 and when the home side where five metres short, Robson crossed.
Harlequins made their way into the Welsh 22 from the restart, thanks to storming runs from Tom Guest and Ugo Monye, when Quins won a penalty, they chose to kick for a five metre lineout. Harlequins worked a number of phases to the right, drawing in the Welsh defence. Nick Evans shipped the ball wide for Monye to cross untouched. Evans was successful with both conversions and Quins lead 14-0 after nine minutes.
When Tom Arscott made a dramatic break up field, this lead to Welsh's first points. Gordon Ross opened his team's scoring with a penalty from 30 yards out.
The game lost a bit of momentum, but was sparked into life on 25 minutes. A huge up and under from Nick Evans allowed Mike Brown to pressure Arscott. The full-back spilled the ball which allowed Monye to pounce on it. The winger stormed up field and offloaded to Robson who brought Quins within five metres. Evans shipped the ball to Monye and followed this by converting the score.
Harlequins had the early pressure in the second half as they chased the bonus point score. Despite coming inches to the line from a huge scrum, when the ball was shipped wide, the on rushing Welsh defence was enough to break down the final pass from Brown to Tom Williams.
Harlequins had to wait until the 53rd minute for Robson to add his second of the evening and secure the bonus point. From a lineout outside the 22, powerful running from Maurie Fa'asavalu, Monye and Brown brought Quins up to the line. From inches out, the second row bundled over.
As the hour mark passed, Brown broke up field and chipped over the defence. Despite the full-back being tackled in the air, Lowe scooped up the loose ball up and scored. With his last act of the game before being replaced by debutant, Ben Botica, Evans converted to give Quins a commanding 35-3 lead.
When Arscott was sin binned for a dangerous tackle with four minutes remaining, the visitors were reduced to 14. From a lineout, the forwards drove to the line. When it was shipped wide, the home side capitalised one their numerical advantage for Botica to score. The fly-half missed the conversion and then game ended with a Harlequins victory.
The scorers:
For Harlequins:
Tries: Monye 2, Robson 2, Lowe, Botica
Cons: Evans 5
For London Welsh:
Pen: Ross
Yellow card: Tom Arscott (London Welsh, 75)
Teams:
Harlequins: 15 Mike Brown, 14 Tom Williams, 13 George Lowe, 12 Jordan Turner-Hall, 11 Ugo Monye, 10 Nick Evans, 9 Karl Dickson, 8 Tom Guest, 7 Chris Robshaw (captain), 6 Maurie Fa'asavalu, 5 George Robson, 4 Olly Kohn, 3 James Johnston, 2 Joe Gray, 1 Joe Marler.
Replacements: 16 Rob Buchanan, 17 Darryl Marfo, 18 Kyle Sinckler, 19 Charlie Matthews, 20 Nick Easter, 21 Danny Care, 22 Ben Botica, 23 Matt Hopper.
London Welsh: 15 Tom Arscott, 14 Phil Mackenzie, 13 Sonny Parker, 12 Hudson Tonga'uiha, 11 Joe Ajuwa, 10 Gordon Ross, 9 Tyson Keats, 8 Ed Jackson, 7 Mike Denbee, 6 Daniel Browne, 5 Matt Corker, 4 Jonathan Mills (captain), 3 Paulica Ion, 2 Neil Briggs, 1 Frank Montanella.
Replacements: 16 Dan George, 17 Tom Bristow, 18 Arthur Joly, 19 Kirill Kulemin, 20 Alfie To'oala, 21 Nick Runciman, 22 Seb Jewell, 23 Nick Scott.
Referee: Luke Pearce (5th Premiership game).
Assistant Referees: JP Doyle, Kevin Stewart.
