This was certainly reflected in the attitude of their players, who gave a good performance and the Wanderers certainly knew they had been in a game.

Quins were first on the scoreboard with full back Charlie Amesbury showing good pace to enter the back line in the midfield and score under the posts. This was converted by fly half Richard Parker.

Widden soon responded and after Quins turned the ball over the visitors had levelled the score. The Wanderers did not seem to be able to take advantage of the scoring chances they created, with dropped passes and the ball being lost in contact. However, with two pieces of good individual skill, Quins managed to add two more tries before the break.

Kiba Richards showed good strength to get over in the corner and then number eight Andy Hodgkins, leaving numerous defenders in his wake, scored from the ten metre line with a pick-up from the base of a scrum.

The second half started poorly for Quins, who were trying to run the ball out from inside their own twenty-two, only to lose possession and allow Widden to move within one score.

It was left to Richards to again provide the inspiration. He took the ball on the halfway line and cut through a number of defenders to feed Mike Brown with the scoring pass.

This victory gives the Wanderers a quarterfinal place in the cup, which is due to be played on Sunday 13th March.

NEC Harlequins Wanderers XV: R. Cooper, M. Surman, J. Read, A. Ayling, G. Robson, J. Redmanye, D. Clayton, A. Hodgkins, S. Jay, R. Parker, K. Richards, M. Brown, B. Young, J. Wehbe, C. Amesbury

Replacements: C. Meek, C. Turner, A. Fisher, B. Wolfe, G. Pratt, J. Gibbs, D. Richards