Harlequins 40 Newcastle Falcons 12 ( Premiership Cup)

I streamed this from the Premiership website for £5.99. I’m such a Luddite that I could not work out how to watch it on my big screen TV, but rather my iPad which had rather a minuscule image.

Quins ran out easy winners with top boys Joe Marler and Marcus Smith on the bench.  The finest moment – quintessential Quins – came in the last few minutes when a high-flighted cross kick by Marcus Smith was spectacularly caught by Tyrone Green to score.

Otherwise, to be honest, Quins were ordinary.

Quins have a big squad that can compete in the multifarious competitions but their problem is it is good, but not that good.

Alex Dombrandt, the skipper, had an excellent game but Ben Earl has more pace and dynamism.

George Hammond is a capable lock – and alongside Joe Launchbury –  brings power to the engine room, but international class? No.

Jarrod Evans did well but Quins have internationals Tommaso Allan and Smith ahead of him.

Caden Murley is a fine finisher on the wing, but better than Tyrone Green?

I don’t expect Quins to struggle but I don’t predict any silverware either.

Still, that final try was worth the cost of the Premiership pass for the match!