Quins in thrilling comeback
PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Harlequins recovered from a 17-point deficit to inflict a fifth defeat of the season on Wasps – winning 28-22 in a thriller at the Ricoh Arena.
The hosts, seeking back-to-back home wins in the league for the first time in two years, made a rapid start as tries from flank Jack Willis and wing Zach Kibirige helped them open a commanding 17-0 lead.
But James Chisholm’s score for Quins in the 22nd-minute changed the complexion of the match, while Kyle Sinckler closed the gap to three by charging through to score following Danny Care’s pass.
Marcus Smith edged Harlequins ahead by cutting inside to dot down in the 51st-minute before Elia Elia forced his way over for the bonus point.
Thomas Young responded for Wasps but the visitors held on for a six-point victory.
Wasps Director of Rugby Dai Young said: “The first 30 minutes we were excellent, dominant in all facets of the game, really physical and 17 points up, you have to think you’ll take the game home.
“They scored a soft try and then the intensity went out of our game and we lost momentum, field position and it took until the last 15 minutes to get it back.
“We made one or two errors, the belief drained from us and our heads dropped far too easily until the last part of the game.”
Harlequins director of rugby Paul Gustard said: “In the first quarter we were extremely poor as we regularly lost possession and dropped off tackles to concede 17 soft points.
“For the next 40 minutes, it was one-way traffic as our set-piece was on top throughout but then the final eight or nine minutes saw us nearly manage to grab defeat from the jaws of victory.
“I thought our back row were excellent as last week at Ulster we were bullied, and Marcus Smith kicked well to give us field position. To come away with a bonus-point win is a good leg up for the team.”
The scorers:
For Wasps:
Tries: Willis, Kibirige, Young
Cons: Umaga 2
Pen: Umaga
For Harlequins:
Tries: J Chisholm, Smith, Sinckler, Elia
Cons: Smith
Teams:
Wasps: 15 Matteo Minozzi, 14 Zach Kibirige, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 12 Michael Le Bourgeois, 11 Marcus Watson, 10 Jacob Umaga, 9 Dan Robson, 8 Sione Vailanu, 7 Thomas Young, 6 Jack Willis, 5 Charlie Matthews, 4 Joe Launchbury (captain), 3 Kieran Brookes, 2 Tommy Taylor, 1 Ben Harris.
Replacements: 16 Tom Cruse, 17 Tom West, 18 Jack Owlett, 19 Tim Cardall, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Will Porter, 22 Jimmy Gopperth, 23 Juan de Jongh.
Harlequins: 15 Ross Chisholm, 14 Cadan Murley, 13 Michele Campagnaro, 12 James Lang, 11 Gabriel Ibitoye, 10 Marcus Smith, 9 Danny Care, 8 Tom Lawday, 7 Chris Robshaw (captain), 6 James Chisholm, 5 Matt Symons, 4 Stephan Lewies, 3 Kyle Sinckler, 2 Elia Elia, 1 Joe Marler.
Replacements: 16 Jack Musk, 17 Santiago Garcia Botta, 18 Will Collier, 19 Tevita Cavubati, 20 Alex Dombrandt, 21 Martin Landajo, 22 Paul Lasike, 23 Vereniki Goneva.
Referee: Wayne Barnes
Assistant referees: Christophe Ridley & Paul Dix
TMO: Geoff Warren
Report by @premrugby
