They’re still not making things easy for themselves, but this is a win for Harlequins – and that, for now, is something to be cherished, their first in the Premiership since early January. They keep their destiny in their own hands when it comes to Europe next season. Seventh is good enough for a play-off shootout with the equivalent club from France, and Quins leap ahead of Gloucester, to within four of seventh-placed Sale. In April, they host Gloucester and travel to Sale in consecutive rounds, so there is hope, and they like a late-season surge at the Stoop – but any higher than seventh is looking a long shot. Their customary appearance in the play-offs is surely a dream too far.
It would be stretching it to say this was a return to form. The familiar fault lines remain, and London Irish’s lively 19-year-old Tom Fowlie nearly had them weeping again. His dazzling run down the touchline for a fine solo score brought Irish back to within a score with 10 minutes remaining. In the last minute, he was dancing down the left again in search of what would have been an outrageous win, even by the standards of some of the muggings Quins have suffered here lately.
“I was loving it,” said Conor O’Shea, Quins’ director of rugby, with more than a hint of irony, when recalling that late scare. “The fact we decided to throw a no-look pass with about 20 seconds to go! It got tense for the players, as you’d expect when they’ve gone through the period they have.”
With spring in the air and the turf firm, this was as likely a candidate as any for that rare phenomenon, the game that is allowed to breathe a little. Irish’s safety in the Premiership was officially confirmed with London Welsh’s defeat, which it was hoped would lighten the mood. Certainly, Harlequins can be relied on to fling it around, whether it’s a nothing game or the Premiership final, and that they did. But defences are king these days and Irish, though stretched, held firm for a good half-hour of tackle practice. They also brandished a formidable scrum, which became the latest to cause Harlequins problems. The Exiles landed two penalties in the first quarter, directly or indirectly courtesy of that set piece.
Quins’ running game yielded four kickable penalties in that period, which, in a noticeable break with recent policy, were all taken by Nick Evans. Danny Care was looking sharp again but the kamikaze tap-and-goes were kept in check. The benefits of a ticking scoreboard meant Quins weren’t having to chase the game. Still, their try was a good-looking affair, finished by Care after slick handling from their forwards, including the imperious Nick Easter, put Matt Hopper clear down the left.
The gods were never going to let things lie there, though. Moments later, Evans did turn down a shot at goal to go for the corner. Dave Ward overthrew, Geraghty belted the ball downfield, Ross Chisholm let it bounce, and James Short snatched it from his hands to streak clear. What could have been a 16-point lead was now back down to six, a familiar lament.
The home side were at the penalty-to-the-corner routine again early in the second half. It seemed as if they had blown another but Irish returned the ball to them. The excellent Jack Clifford broke the line, and Hopper was over for Quins’ second. Evans converted from the touchline.
A bonus point would have been handy and there remained half an hour to secure one. But first things first. Quins knew better than to assume anything – and that in itself can cause a team problems. Sure enough, Tom Guest, a former Quin, won a turnover and the ball was whipped wide to Fowlie, who cut inside Evans for another Irish score out of nowhere. Then, after Geraghty intercepted Netani Talei’s flick inside with seconds to go, Fowlie was released again. This time, he was hauled into touch. Just. Harlequins pursuit of Europe remains on course. Just.
