Friday night lights with thousands packed into the RAG, it was only a friendly but it felt like a lot more as a youthful Harlequins took on London Scottish. With many of the Harlequins side having turned out for the Exiles at various points this year, the foes knew each other well and in many positions were battling for their place in the Championship side for the remainder of the season.
Harlequins started off the brighter taking advantage of London Scottish ill discipline in the opening minutes. Former loanee Nathan Jibulu would shortly after crash over the line from a resulting driving maul.
Harlequins would back up their earlier score with a concerted period of pressure. London Scottish’s penalty count let them down and would ultimately cost them their second try as from a close range line out Lennox Anyanwu would find the line with a strong carry. However, two conversions out wide meant the score stood at only 0-10 to the away side.
London Scottish managed to gain a foothold in the game in the latter parts of the first half. A great offload from Huis followed by a fantastic carry from Ingall got Scottish close. Nutton then dove over from short range but not before a slap down from Archie White would see him spend ten minutes in the bin.
However, down to fourteen men it was Harlequins who would manage the ten minute period the brighter. Two tries from the driving maul would see the away side take a commanding 5-22 lead into the half time break.
After the break, Scottish were able to rectify many of the issues that plagued them in the first half. They forced many more errors in the Harlequins back line. That made for a rather scrappy second half but one that would end with a moment of magic.
Off loose ball Luke Mehson was set free down the left wing. He put in a perfect chip over the full back to regather his ball and dive in the corner to the delight of the capacity crowd.
Scottish were unable to pounce on the momentum and the game ended 12-22 with both sides having gained valuable minutes and the two clubs’ partnership becoming ever closer.
