Quins take honours in Big Game showdown
Harlequins ………………….. 32pts
Tries: David 7, 19, Dombrandt 23, Lamb 45, Care 54
Conversions: Smith 46, 55
Drop goals: Smith 70
Gloucester ………………….. 26pts
Tries: Hastings 12, McGuigan 51, May 71, Penalty 77
Conversions: Hastings 13, 52
The 15th and possibly biggest Big Game to date saw Quins in prime form for much of the game against a stubborn Gloucester who fought hard, if unsuccessfully, to avoid their eighth consecutive Premiership defeat.
Marcus Smith, save for some wayward kicking from the tee, sparkled in all departments and generally Quins buzzed to excellent effect to score five tries but Gloucester also had their moments and deserved their two bonus points. A massive 76,813 crowd were royally entertained by the lights show and disco before the game and the match itself matched all the hype. A feel good evening for English rugby.
By kick off the energy was high and it was Harlequins who immediately plugged into the vibe, starting with the pace and intensity they usually display when trying to overhaul a big lead. There were going to be some tries despite the wet greasy conditions.
The first came from Nick David on the right after good hands in midfield following a tapped penalty. Not a dodgy quick tap, Gloucester had queried the decision vociferously and there was quite a pause before Quins tapped and went from the correct spot. Gloucester though had criminally clocked off with some defenders having their backs to Quins. Indefensible.
The visitors did hit back with a fine try by Adam Hastings after a huge hit from George McGuigan in midfield had seen them quickly attack off turnover ball but Quins matched that with a second try for David.
A trademark outside break from Smith had paved the way for David's score although the final pass was perilously close to being forward.
Quins were in the mood and they chalked up a third try when Danny Care, running across the field looking for an opening, put the ball on the outside of his right foot and kicked to grass. Alex Dombrandt not only beat Zach Mercer to the bounce but then sprinted away from his opposite number to score a superb try.
Mercer in fairness was slightly baulked by a colleague but Dombrandt has shed some timber this season and is a yard or two quicker than in previous campaigns.
Another score and you sensed the game was won by half-time but Gloucester dug deep and even fired a few shots of their own with wings Louis Rees-Zammit and Ollie Thorley working overtime to get something going.
After the break Quins pulled further ahead when a brilliantly taken try by Dino Lamb bagged the try bonus although the Italian forward hurt a shoulder in the process and had to be replaced.
Again, you feared a little for Gloucester but Mercer was beginning to spark up and getting things going up front and they hit back with a try for McGuigan who burrowed over from short range.
Quins roused themselves with a try under the posts by Care who has played in all 15 Big Games and a coolly taken dropped goal from Smith seemed to round things off but Gloucester were determined to come away with something.
First Jonny May rolled back the years and showed good gas to sprint home for a try and then, with a try looking certain on the left wing, Tyrone Green deliberately knocked on and Gloucester were correctly awarded a penalty try. The last three minutes were tense but Quins closed it out.
TEAMS
HARLEQUINS: Green 7; David 7, Beard 7.5, Esterhuizen 7.5, Anderson 7; Smith 8.5, Care 8 (Porter 66, 7); Marler 7 (Baxter 36, 7.5 ), Walker 7 (Riley 71, 6 ), Collier 7 (Lewis 59, 6.5), Launchbury 7, Lewies 6 (Chisholm 28, 7), Lamb 7 (Herbst 45, 6.5), Evans 7, Dombrandt (c) 8
GLOUCESTER: Carreras 6; Louis Rees-Zammit 7 (May 66, 7), Harris 7.5, Atkinson 6.5 (Llewellyn 58, 6), Thorley 7.5; Hastings 7.5, Varney 7 (Englefield 58, 6.5) ; Ford-Robinson 7.5 (Vivas 63, 6), McGuigan 7 (Blake 62, 6), Gotovtsev 7 Knight 73, 6), Clarke 6.5 (Jordan 60, 6), Alemanno 7, Ackermann 6.5 (Clement 60, 7.5), Ludlow (c) 7, Mercer 8
REFEREE: Adam Leal
ATTENDANCE: 76,813
Star man
Marcus Smith -Harlequins
