Marchant seals it for the comeback kings

By BRENDAN GALLAGHER

Harlequins ……..28pts

Tries: Dombrandt 17, Marchant 49, 60; Murley 70

Conversions: Smith 18, 50, 60, 70

Gloucester……..24pts

Tries: Morgan 11, Clarke 19, Harris 30

Conversions: Hastings 12, 20, 31

Drop-goals: Hastings 35

HARLEQUINS did their usual Lazarus act to turn things around spectacularly and book their playoff place when Gloucester went missing in action after the break in this entertaining “summer spectacular” at Twickenham.

Gloucester had marched to an impressive 24-7 lead at the break and, although big comebacks are almost part of the Quins modus operandi, the West Country team looked composed and in the zone.

After the break though Quins came out firing – we expected that – but after suffering injuries to key men Ben Morgan and Chris Harris, Gloucester fell apart. They stopped playing and conceded a flood of penalties. From a long way out there was only one winner despite the narrow scoreline.

With a shirt-sleeved 50,000-plus crowd, this was a festival occasion but a must-win game for Gloucester and after a frenetic, loose start of multiple turnovers it was Gloucester who settled first with a well worked lineout rumble try for Morgan who has been rolling back the years recently since his return to full fitness.

That lead was short lived though with another erratic passage of play resulting in a try for Alex Dombrandt after Gloucester had initially quelled an attack from the excellent Joe Marchant. Ruan Ackermann, nobody's idea of a Sevens player, then threw the ball away with the gay abandon of Waisale Serevi and Quins pounced.

A soft score and Gloucester now had to really knuckle down which they did in style through their athletic lock Freddie Clarke who showed the speed and try scoring nous of a wing forward after latching onto a nicely timed inside pass from Pumas Santiago Carreras. Clarke finished with an Ashtonesque flourish for a career high moment at HQ.

Skipper Lewis Ludlow, a prominent figure, featured in their third try, breaking intelligently and throwing not one but two dummies before a perfectly timed pass to Harris.

Adam Hastings had converted all three tries and, with Gloucester playing advantage before the break, was again on target this time with a dropped goal after good work from Harris. Half-time and a 24-7 deficit. Familiar territory for Quins but could they go to the well yet again?

Of course they could. These comebacks define them, its what they do. Gloucester might have been unlucky with those two important injuries but Quins – who hadn't played in three weeks – engaged top gear after their early splutters and totally dominated the remainder of the game.

Dynamic double: Harlequins' Joe Marchant crosses for his second try

PICTURES: Getty Images

Marchant read Danny Care's little grubber through brilliantly to open their second half account – nipping in and then he was on hand on the hour to touch down after Quins had laid siege and then spread it quickly to the left, a long pass from Esterhuizen putting him away.

Gloucester were rocking and the killer blow was finally delivered with ten minutes remaining when Quins turned down a kick at goal, went for touch and attacked off the line out, a bold ploy that eventually saw Caden Murley strike home for this 14th try of the season. Smith converted and, although only four points behind, Gloucester were a spent force as Quins comfortably played the game out.

Mathematically, Gloucester still have a slim chance but, with their remaining game against Saracens, don't hold your breath.

Top man: Freddie Clarke, left, celebrates with Charlie Chapman after scoring for Gloucester