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#Post#: 9315--------------------------------------------------
Match Report: Grenoble vs Harlequins 20 Oct 18
DIR By: Admin
Date: October 27, 2018, 5:51 pm
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Grenoble v Quins
by Bedfordshire Boy
Glad to see that having left home in foggy conditions on Friday
morning, it was at least sunny and bright at Luton Airport. So
far so good until on the way from the car park to the terminals
on the bus I realised that I had left my phone in the car, can
anybody survive for three days without a mobile phone in their
pockets these days? For once in my life I had arrived at the
airport with plenty of time so a quick turn around on the car
park bus put things to right. Even had time to ring the club to
organise my Big Game 11 tickets but no luck with that one as the
ticket office seemed to be inundated with members trying to do
the same thing. Good flight out to Geneva and plenty of time to
catch the train to Grenoble followed by a walk of about 100
metres to get to the hotel.
Match day was bright and sunny although you would never know
that the city was surrounded by mountains due the very hazy
conditions although it did clear later in the day. Having never
visited Grenoble before our first port of call in the morning
was to La Bastille, an ancient fortified castle overlooking the
metropolis accessed either by an extremely long and challenging
walk or a more sedate cable car ride. Having opted for the
latter, we arrived at the top to find that people wearing
various versions of the multi coloured shirt, far out numbered
the other visitors with even a group of the playing squad
relaxing in the restaurant. Pity that the murky conditions
didn`t improve sufficiently to allow for any decent photographs
looking down into the city.
[attachimg=1]
The Grenoble “Bubbles”
Funny old time to start a rugby game, nine o`clock in the
evening, presumably selected to suit French TV, not sure that BT
are showing any Challenge Cup matches are they? My guess is that
there were about 200 Quins supporters in the stadium out of a
total of no more than about 7000. Pitch was in great shape and
we were allocated great seating but the rest of the stadium was
a typical French soul less concrete structure. Looking at the
team sheet we had every right to feel optimistic, particularly
happy to see Francis Saili making a start and to see Jack
Clifford and Demitri Catrakilis on the bench.
To the game; Grenoble kicked off and it took less than two
minutes for Quins to be penalised for holding on about 25 metres
out right in front of the posts. Unsurprisingly Grenoble number
ten Glenat had no trouble with the kick to open the scoring for
the home side. A few minutes later the Quins pack win a penalty
from the first scrum of the match, Marcus Smith kicks to touch
and, surprise surprise, Quins lose the line out. As Grenoble set
up an attack in midfield, they recycle the ball and, from an
obvious preset move, the scrum half passes to a winger running a
great line who unfortunately had run past him at the time of the
pass. Luckily for Quins, the pass went straight to Marcus Smith
who was left with a clear run to score under the posts. Smith
converted his own try, Grenoble 3 Quins 7 after 6 minutes, lots
of very happy bunnies in the Quins section of the crowd.
Quins are penalised again after 10 minutes for a high tackle by
Bothma (probably lucky not to be shown a card) so another
straightforward kick for Glenat to bring their tally to six
points. Both teams are running the ball at every opportunity and
although the defences are generally in the ascendancy, it is
usually bad technique that leads to attacks breaking down.
Grenoble went in to the lead for the second time with 30 minutes
on the clock, this time Quins are penalised for playing the ball
on the ground giving Glenat another fairly standard kick but
this time from about forty metres.
Joe Marler is penalised from the kick off allowing Grenoble to
clear the ball to touch on the half way line. Referee had a long
chat with James Chisholm at this point, not sure if something
was said or if it was simply that the penalty count was
mounting, but Chisholm called the team together to pass on the
message. More loose play from both sides followed with neither
side seemingly able to keep hold of the ball for more than 3 or
4 phases. On 40 minutes, the Quins scrum is once again
penalised, much to the disgust of Max Crumpton, but this time
the conversion attempt from the Grenoble fly half drifted wide.
Half time score Grenoble 9 Quins 7.
Still feeling optimistic as Smith gets the second half underway
with Jack Clifford and Elia Elia having replaced Bothma and
Crumpton respectively. This time it is Grenoble who are
penalised within the first minute of the half and Smith adds to
the Quins total with a well taken penalty conversion from about
35 metres range. The standard of play has not improved from the
first half and neither side seem able to hold on to the ball and
the pitching cutting up is making the scrums a bit of a lottery.
Eight minutes into the half Quins are awarded another penalty
for Grenoble playing the ball on the ground after another untidy
phase of play. Smith is again on target from about 30 metres
range, Grenoble 9 Quins 13 after 48 minute.
From the Grenoble restart, Smith launches the ball deep into the
Grenoble twenty two and the ball is eventually scrambled into
touch following a great chase and charge down by Earle. Grenoble
started making changes with the two props being replaced which
seemed to strengthen their scrum although the pitch surface
continued to cause problems.
Poor play continued but we were all cheered up following a
terrific 40 metre break from Jack Clifford who was finally
brought down a few metres short of the Grenoble line.
Unfortunately there was no immediate Quins support so Grenoble
were able to clear the danger. More changes for Quins as Collier
and Alofa replace Sinckler and Walker respectively on 57 minutes
and Lewis and Catrakilis replacing Mulchrone and Smith five
minutes later. More great play from Clifford shortly afterwards
as he wins turnover ball when Grenoble are penalised for holding
on, not a decision that met with the approval of the home
supporters.
[attachimg=2]
Another Quins attack that just petered out
Two quick scores for Grenoble turned out to be the turning point
of the match; an intercept converted try from winger Visinia on
64 minutes followed four minutes later by a converted penalty
when Quins were penalised for pulling down a maul, Grenoble 19
Quins 13. Marler and Kunatani were replaced by Boyce and South
before the restart with Grenoble now being urged on by a much
more vocal crowd. Unfortunately the Quins side seemed to lack
any composure in the last 10 minutes of the match with passes
being thrown everywhere except to a Quins player and the game
petered out with no change to the scoreline.
Well that was a game that was there for the taking with both
sides being strong in defence and very sloppy in attack so it is
not surprising that the only trys in the game came from
interceptions. What is really frustrating is that with a little
composure there were ample opportunities in the last ten minutes
of the game to pick up the few extra points for a win. All is
not lost though as Quins still head their Challenge Cup group,
but leading Benneton on points difference only makes the back to
back games against them in December more important.
Some positives from the game; Francis Saili got through the
whole match in one piece and is starting to show why he was
signed in the first place, Jack Clifford was impressive as was
Nathan Earle, the defence was solid and the forwards generally
got over the gain line in attack and Marcus Smith had a good all
round game. On the downside there was far too much sloppy play
with attacks breaking down with a bad pass or spilled ball and
Quins continue to struggle in open play attack against a well
organised defence. Yet again it was penalties that ultimately
led to defeat.
[attachment deleted by admin]
#Post#: 9319--------------------------------------------------
Re: Match Report: Grenoble vs Harlequins 20 Oct 18
DIR By: deadlyfrom5yardsout
Date: October 28, 2018, 3:27 am
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Thanks I almost felt I was there!
#Post#: 9343--------------------------------------------------
Re: Match Report: Grenoble vs Harlequins 20 Oct 18
DIR By: InsertQuinsPunHere
Date: October 28, 2018, 4:05 pm
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Thank you for the write up. Sounds like you had a nice trip
despite the result!
#Post#: 9404--------------------------------------------------
Re: Match Report: Grenoble vs Harlequins 20 Oct 18
DIR By: SiB
Date: October 30, 2018, 2:04 am
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Good write up thanks
Have to say enjoyed Grenoble great place for a rugby trip. The
cable car etc all great
Yet again a great weekend away spoiled by 80 minutes of rugby
#Post#: 9909--------------------------------------------------
Re: Match Report: Grenoble vs Harlequins 20 Oct 18
DIR By: Nico Wilson
Date: November 6, 2018, 11:33 am
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Thanks for the write up.
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