Newcastle Falcons 31 Harlequins 40

Quins had some stellar absentees for the start of the Premiership – Danny Care, Marcus Smith, Andre Esterhuizen – and young lock Hugh Tizzard has moved to Saracens.

We only saw glimpses of vintage Champagne Quins: 2 penalties that they elected to run rather than convert, a cross-field punt a la Smith from second string Tommaso Allan which Caden Murley failed to gather, some scintillating running and a typical second half rally.

I watched the game on the Premiership TV stream, a match pass costing £4.99 so to do, which was fair enough.

Sam Roberts was a capable commentator but no Bill MacLaren.

Alex Dombrandt in his post-match interview observed that Quins’ defensive mauls were below par.

Both sides were rusty.

 

Anyanwu ran forcefully for Quins as did Falcons’ Nathan Earle.

Quins are always so more powerful in the second half so I was therefore not that worried that we were trailing at half time.

 

 

Joe Marchant sealed the game in its dying embers when he pickpocketed Earle to go over.

Lennox Anyanwu and Andre Green looked capable additions to the squad.

Next Saturday’s clash with Saracens will be a sterner and more instructive test.