17 May 13
Harlequins has confirmed an exciting group of pre-season fixtures as it prepares for the start of the 2013-14 season.
Roland Mercer


Although it was to be Quins' day, it was the visitors who got the first points on the board with a penalty from Freddie Burns. 0-3
From then on Quins took a hold on the game that was not to be released. The wet ground and slippy ball caused a few errors and denied Quins some possible earlier points. Mike Brown came close after chasing down to the try line a Nick Evans grubber kick. Although he controlled the ball as he hacked it forward he could not control it over the line.
But, as the game edged towards the second quarter, Quins grabbed their first points. It came after Nick Evans sent the ball through the hands to the right wing where Brown, holding the final defender, sent Sam Smith in for his first Premiership try of the season. Evans converted, 7-3.
Quins came close once again after Jordan Turner-Hall broke impressively from his own 22, before hacking the ball forward for Karl Dickson to chase. The scrum-half was only denied a try by Nick Runciman, who scrambled back in defence. A following penalty was not to be missed and Evans extended Quins' lead. 10-3
With 10 minutes remaining of the first half Quins were looking for their second try. With the option to kick for three more points, Evans kicked twice for the corner. The second one paid off and Quins drove over for the second try, flanker Luke Wallace claiming the try. 15-3
Burns and Evans exchanged penalties before referee Tim Wigglesworth blew the whistle for half time: 18-6
Although fans were greeted with heavy rain for the half time break it did not put a stop to the cheers from the stands.
Whilst Quins looked to have missed scoring a try between the posts, after a well placed Evans grubber kick, the pressure told on Gloucester and after just 10 minutes played of the half, Matt Cox was shown a yellow card for side entry at a ruck.
Five minutes later and the cracks were once again showing in the Gloucester defence. Evans sliced through, before combining with George Lowe and finally releasing Ugo for the try. An impressive touchline kick saw Evans add the extras. 25-6
The Quins forwards claimed the bonus point try. Having won the line-out they drove the ball over the line for the second time tonight, with Wallace claiming his second. Evans converted. 32-6
Rory Clegg, who replaced Evans, made his mark with a 64th minute penalty but a missed opportunity from Charlie Sharples put even more of a dampner on Gloucester's damp enough evening after the winger couldn't capitalise on a loose ball just short of the Quins line.
It was Chris Brooker who put the final nail in the coffin after crossing the line for Quins' fifth and final try. Clegg converted. 42-6
Congratulations to Kyle Sinckler and Charlie Walker who both made their Premiership debuts.
Man of the Match, Luke Wallace

| Harlequins Score Card | |||||
| Name | Tries | Conv | Pen | Drop | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ugo Monye | 1 | 5 | |||
| Nick Evans | 2 | 4 | 16 | ||
| Joe Gray | 1 | 5 | |||
| Total | 2 | 2 | 4 | 26 | |
| Northampton Saints Score Card | |||||
| Name | Tries | Conv | Pen | Drop | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryan Lamb | 1 | 3 | |||
| Greig Tonks | 1 | 5 | |||
| Stephen Myler | 1 | 1 | 5 | ||
| Total | 1 | 1 | 2 | 13 | |
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