Josh Bassett (right) hits the scoresheet with a second-half attempt at Stoop Credit: Getty Images/Tom Dulat Harlequins v Newcastle Recap Falcons 2022-23
Bonus points win, eight tries in the spring sun, Pride day and just seven points off fourth; the scene was set for the Queens carnival, but the bare facts say nothing.
With this victory over a plucky if limited Newcastle United, the Harlequins are two games away from breaking into the top four. But it's easy to see from this evidence why Tabai Matson's team is playing catch-up, hoping that results elsewhere will run their course to give them a chance to reclaim the title they won so spectacularly in 2021.
The hosts rarely looked like a top four team. After 25 minutes the score was 0-0, despite the fact that Queens' almost 90 percent territory and it took Alex Dombrandt a try in the 68th minute, the second of two for the No. 8 attacker, to throw the game off balance. The floodgates opened from there.
"100 percent [it flattered us]" said Matson, Harlequins' Head coach. "48 points is a bit rough. Newcastle were an outstanding player and their defense was ferocious.
At least the Harlequins can shorten the season with their offensive coach on the spot, with Matson confirming a Telegraph Sport exclusive story that Nick Evans will stay after the walk in England.
The Harlequins could not have created more favorable conditions for their swift course of action. However, the event was empty, their game lacked intensity and Newcastle could very well ruin the Pride party. Dombrandt played the title role, but Steve Borthwick would have been seriously concerned if it weren't for him, given how the conditions suited No. 8 style knee surgery and his first appearance with the Harlequins of the season, offered Dombrandt a luxury pass for a first try. having previously crossed himself and Esterhuizen registered Queens; opening score.
It wasn't until the 79th minute that the home crowd finally began to play Mighty Quin in unified choir. Before that, the most joyful moments belonged to Newcastle. Mateo Carreras on the flank is a firework, as is Adam Radwan next to him, and you can't give them an inch. The Harlequins did just that early on, with Carreras equaling Kadan Merli in runs scored this Premier League season after Smith made a hash from a deep clearance.
Josh Bassett scored early in the second half, but Newcastle responded via Freddie Lockwood after cheating Carreras. However, after cornering Dombrandt, Queens staged a riot with attempts by Dino Lamb, Joe Marchant — on his last appearance on the Stupa — and Finn Baxter keeping them on the hunt. However, the winning side of Bath will not be so lenient next week.
Match Details
Scoring Sequence: 5-0 Carreras try, 7-0 Connon vs, 10-0 Connon Pen, 5-10 Esterhuizen try, 7-10 Smith vs, 12-10 Lina try, 12-13 Connon Pen, 17-13 Bassett try, 22 -13 Dombrandt try, 22-18 Lockwood try, 22-20 Connon try, 27-20 Dombrandt try, 29-20 Smith try, 34-20 Lamb try, 36-20 Smith try, 41-20 Marchand try, 43-20 Smith v., Baxter attempt, 48-20.
Harlequins: J. Bassett (T. Allan, 61); L Lynagh (O Beard 54), J Marchant, A Esterhuizen, C Murley; M. Smith, D. Care (L. Gyalthema, 73); J. Marler (F. Baxter, 68), J. Walker (S. Riley, 68), W. Lowe (S. Kerrod, 23), D. Lamb, I. Herbst (J. Hammond, Herbst, 68, Hammond , 73), L. Wallace (J. Kenningham, 54), W. Evans, A. Dombrandt (c).
Yellow card: Evans, 57.
Newcastle Falcons: E. Obatoyinbo; A. Radwan, B. Stevenson (P. Lucock 43), M. Moroni, M. Carreras; B. Connon (J. Thomas, 71), M. Young (c) (S. Stewart, 61); E. Brocklebank (L. Mulipola, 67), J. Blamir (C. Cade, 53), M. Tampin (K., Kenny, 67), G. Peterson (L. Gyaltema, 71), S. de Chavez, P. Rubiolo, C. Cheek, C. Furns (F. Lockwood, 51).
Yellow card: Chick 40.
Referee: M. Carly.
Attendance: 14,800. p>
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