The first half was a fairly tight affair as the game took place in wet and blustery conditions. An opening penalty from Henry Anscombe for Harlequins was cancelled out by an interception try for the Irish to give them a 3-5 lead. The Harlequins pack then started to take control and after a period of sustained pressure, Dom McGeekie scored from a powerful rolling maul bringing the score to 8-5 at half-time.

Turning around with a stiff breeze now behind them, the Harlequins youngsters extended their lead with a second penalty for Anscombe. Irish again fought back and scored an excellent try which was converted from out wide to give them a 12-11 lead with half hour to go.

With added impetus from the bench, Harlequins hit back with two excellent tries from locks Kieran Treadwell and Finlay Hillicks. Although both tries were unconverted, this gave Harlequins a 21-12 lead that they never looked like relinquishing.

Despite heavy pressure, the Harlequins youngsters could not force a fourth bonus point try but coaches Howard Graham and Jim Evans were left well satisfied with an excellent victory.

Harlequins next fixture will be away against Exeter this Saturday January 19th.

Harlequins U18 Team v London Irish U18:

Loizias, Whiteley, McClean, G.Taylor, Forrest, Anscombe, Arnold; Adeniran-Olule, Piper, Robinson, South, Traedwell, McGeekie, Forshaw, Chisholm.

Subs: Wade, Cordery, Hillicks, Wilcock, Woollams, Francis, Bramhall.