It was always going to be a tough match for the callow Quins team against an Esher side that were well drilled and coached and included a large amount of players with Premiership experience. There were clearly areas which need to be worked on, both in defence and in attack, but that is what the pre-season friendlies are for and the coaches can come away happy that their side showed both effort and endeavour to steal a 24-21 win.

The home side got off to a flying start. After bombarding the Esher line with the Quins forwards, the ball was flung wide through the backs and into the hands of Ollie Lindsay-Hague who showed off his pace by stepping his man and flying over the tryline. Ben Urdapilleta converted. 7-0

Quins came close moments later when new boy Matt Hopper combined with Charlie Walker, before offloading to Tom Casson whose little chip towards the tryline bounced just out of reach of the chasing Ollie Lindsay-Hague and Miles Mantella.

Quins' second try came from another of their pacey backs, this time Charlie Walker who, after taking an offload from Matt Cairns, was untouchable on the left wing, finally stepping the full-back and crossing the line. Urdapilleta converted and Quins were looking very much in control. 14-0

Quins may have controlled the first quarter but it was the visitors who took the reins in the second, responding in the best possible way with two tries of their own. After sustained pressure on the Quins line Charlie Ingall ran in the visitors' first try of the night and, with five minutes left of the half, Geoff Griffiths ran in their second. Fly-half Mark Atkinson converted both tries and the two sides found themselves tied as the half time whistle went. 14-14.

Quins got things back on track with two tries in the opening 15 minutes of the second half. The first coming after a lineout ball, just metres from the Esher line, was crashed over in the hands of Tom Casson. The second try's scorer was difficult to identify as he was hidden under a mountain of bodies but the man with the ball was Urdapilleta. With neither of Quins' two tries being converted a try and conversion from Esher, which saw the forwards maul the ball over the line, opened the door once again for the visitors. A determined Quins defence denied Esher any more points and home side came away with their first pre-season win.

Final score: 24-21

Quins now turn their attentions to Nottingham on Friday night at the Stoop. Tickets are once again available on the gate - £10 adults and £5 for children.