20 November 2011
Harlequins, who held an eleven game winning streak, travelled to the West-Country to face Gloucester in Round 2 of the Heineken Cup. These two sides last met in last seasons Aviva Premiership, Harlequins trounced Gloucester at the Stoop following their LV Cup final victory. With some big names on the team sheets this was sure to be an intense match with two battle-hardened sides.
England Saxons full-back, Mike Brown, opened the scoring for the visitors in the fifth minute of the game. Nick Evans converted and Quins took an early 7-0 lead.Lesley Vainikolo made the first of several strong breaks in the first half early on but as the winger brutally powered over the line he slipped into touch, awarding a lineout to Harlequins. Jim Hamilton charged down the clearance kick from the visitors and Qera made an attempt for the line but knocked it on before touching it down.
An array of penalties from both fly-half’s followed with Burns adding six points and Evans adding three. A try from Harlequins centre, Matt Hopper, was next following a sustained attack from the Londoners. The TMO confirmed the try but Evans couldn’t make the conversion. Quins still led 15-6 going into the break.
Nick Evans extended Harlequins’ lead yet again with a penalty to make the score 21-6 to the visitors. Young Freddie Burns was less confident with the boot and missed a second kick.
Some inspiring attacks came from Gloucester
Jonny May and Qera linked nicely inside the Quins twenty-two but a stray pass was intercepted by Chris Robshaw, who was putting in a good defensive performance.
Yet another missed opportunity followed from the Cherry-and-Whites and this time it was Henry Trinder who failed to touch the ball down, instead knocking it on just moments before a certain try.
But Harlequins capitalized on Gloucester Gloucester
Details:
HT Score: 6-15
FT Score: 9-28
Referee: Christophe Berdos
Location: Kingsholm, Gloucester
