Quins turn Gloucester over
Tom Williams' late try gave Harlequins a 14-9 comeback victory against Gloucester on Saturday.
By Phil Jackson
Last Updated: 21/02/09 4:58pm
Tom Williams' converted try four minutes from time gave Harlequins a 14-9 comeback victory against Guinness Premiership leaders Gloucester on Saturday.
The Londoners have lost just once at home this season and they fought to the bitter end to defend that record, which eventually brought reward.
Nick Evans' early converted try took the hosts into a 7-6 lead at half-time, but the Cherry and Whites had looked to be on course for an ugly win after Olly Barkley's third successful penalty kick seven minutes into the second-half.
Up popped winger Williams, though, with the game-winner on 76 minutes to inflict the visitors' fifth Premiership defeat of the season.
Pace
The hosts hit their straps right from the off on a sunny day at the Twickenham Stoop and were rewarded with an early penalty after Mike Brown's superb long kick down the line had put Gloucester under pressure in their 22.
Evans missed the kickable penalty chance that resulted, but the Kiwi fly-half soon rectified that error with a converted try all of his own creation. Brown's knock on in a midfield ruck was not spotted by the referee and Evans took full advantage by bursting through the Gloucester defence before finishing with a feint to sell former England full-back Iain Balshaw.
Barkley missed a chance to get his shell-shocked Gloucester side back in the game with a penalty on 10 minutes, but it was not until Carlos Spencer's counter-attack down the flank led to a second kicking opportunity that the Cherry and Whites scored.
Evans was still inconsistent with the boot, though, and he missed a second penalty attempt as the visitors started to fight their way back into the match.
And with Quins' attacking quality starting to be nullified by Gloucester's improvement at the breakdown, Barkley kicked his second penalty to reduce the deficit to one. Both sides enjoyed good attacking possession before the interval, but Harlequins it was who took a their 7-6 lead into half-time.
Excitement
The hosts were dealt a serious blow after try-scorer Evans, still suffering from flu, failed to emerge for the second-half. Chris Malone came on in the New Zealander's place, but it was Barkley that had the first penalty opportunity after the break and he converted to hand the visitors the lead for the first time.
The game was largely confined to midfield in the opening 20 minutes of the second-half, though, and both sides rung the changes during the lull in play.
The West Country side showed great strength in defence when Quins did threaten their line, though, until they gifted Malone his first penalty chance of the match. The Australian replacement number 10 was found wanting, but the Londoners were building up a head of steam and earned another penalty with 10 minutes to go.
Again the former Bath and Bristol star erred, but it was not to prove decisive as winger Williams finished off a great spell of attacking pressure on the Gloucester line, with his weave and reach for the line. Malone kicked the conversion and Quins had a valuable 14-9 lead with five minutes remaining.
And they battled bravely in defence to preserve the lead as Gloucester were confined to a losing bonus point that takes them back to the top of the league by a point from Sale.
