After receiving the kick-off, Quins worked their way into Hove's half, helped along by several penalties conceded by the visitors. Hove fought back hard, challenging for the ball at every breakdown and testing the Quins defensive line each time they had the ball in hand.

With Hove's precision in the lineouts and Quins hard work in the scrums, both teams were securing good possession and the evenly-matched game looked as if it could go either way. When Quins gave away a penalty in their own twenty-two, Hove kicked their way into a three-point lead; an advantage they would hold on to until the final minute of the game.

Throughout the contest, the two teams pressured each other with strong running from the forwards, pace out wide and kicks downfield, but the well-organised defence of both sides kept the ball from crossing the line.

As the final whistle approached, Quins worked their way into a good field position and then used the strength of their forwards to attack the line. Tanya Wilson carried the ball over only to be held-up, but Quins maintained the pressure and pulled in the Hove defence. Quick ball materialised for the backs and the pace of fly half Amy Gibbons gave Quins the try they needed to win the game in the final seconds of the match.

With a well-earned Christmas break coming up, the Harlequin Ladies return to their home ground on Sunday 16th January hoping to build on recent successes when they take on Wimbledon.