Harlequins show seriously good form

What was it like in Belfast? They were searching for the key to the floodlights at 3.20 p.m., thunderous clouds were fulminating over the mountains that support the city, Blackrock were skating around in the squals, unable to penetrate the Harlequins 22, and a small number of supporters didn't bother to leave the bar. You couldn't have faulted them for that.

This was a big win for the home side who were irresistibly good in last year's division two championship, and, in truth, the scoreline flattered Blackrock. Balls spilled on contact, fumbles along the backline and a deadly lack of continuity and inability to pressurise the home side cost Blackrock dearly.

They won only five penalties in the entire match and did not have any kicks at goal. For such discipline from Harlequins, coach Andre Bester was, understandably, mighty pleased.

"I don't think they ever threatened us from the start of the match," said Bester. "I think we lost a point because we should have put them away and secured a bonus (four tries). But we only gave away five penalties in the whole game and I think that was fantastic discipline from the boys, very professional."

In Blackrock's favour, perhaps they could have spurred themselves along if a try just before half time had been given when a chip forward from the reliably inventive Emmet Farrell set right wing Johnny Davis chasing into space.

But the Harlequins cover nudged him over the dead ball line just before he touched down and Blackrock went into half time 10-0 down and facing an increasingly violent wind in the second half.

With just a three-point gap and positive momentum, the second half might have assumed a different complexion.

That said, Harlequins were good for the lead. Rys Botha was thumping through from the centre as the home side displayed a distinct liking for running the ball even in the mire. They also found touch, normally from South African outhalf Ajay Derwin, deep in Blackrock territory from which they made the Dubliners pay with interest.

Harequins' first try came when the Blackrock scrum came under severe pressure on their five-metre line. As they slipped and skidded backwards, scrumhalf and captain Seán Clancy cheekily nipped in for the touch down on 15 minutes.

But they waited longer for their second. Clancy again creatively used the scrum to launch his sniping run, this time a dummy pass throwing the Blackrock defence a fraction off kilter. Number eight Michael Carroll tore at the smaller man's shirt, but not enough to stop the determined break.

"Running the ball will be our first option this season," said Bester. "Everyone who watched us play last year said we would be a hard, top-of-the ground team, but the way we performed today in those conditions shows we can cope with anything. If it had been dry, I think you would have seen some spectacular rugby."

The greasy ball squeezed out of left wing Paul Drew's hands on contact as he was charging into the Harlequins 22, but so too did Sheldon Coulter fail to find purchase when he got delivery with nothing to beat but the rain, wind and treacherous underfoot conditions.

Botha dropped another one, while countless balls popped on contact from both sides. But Harlequins handled it best, and with Simon Best, Richie Weir and Clem Boyd forming a solid Harlequins front row, Blackrock were never comfortable and less so when prop Niall Treston departed after only 29 minutes.

A local wit in the crowd said in the Grafton Arena when the final whistle sounded: "Well at least that means we've probably avoided relegation."

On the weekend's evidence that pessimism is misplaced. A win against Bohemians last week followed by Blackrock's scalp in their second match and Harlequins look quite comfortable in division one.

Scoring sequence: 15 mins - S Clancy try 5-0; 33 mins - S Clancy try 10-0. Half time. 65 mins - A Derwin try and con 17-0.

BELFAST HARLEQUINS: A Park; S Coulter, G Mitchell, R Botha, R Collins; A Derwin, S Clancy (capt); C Boyd, R Weir, S Best, L Stevenson, C Beukes, N Best, C McCarey, R Wilson. Replacements: D Barbour for N Best (60 mins); J Lowe for Park (66 mins); R Best for Weir (68 mins); J Carey for Boyd (68 mins).

BLACKROCK: B Carey; J Davis, G Brown, M Jackson, P Drew; E Farrell, D Popplewell; A McSweeney (capt), G McEvoy, N Treston, M Gilbride, J Fitzgerald, R Rogers, T O'Donoghue, M Carroll. Replacements: M Cuffe for Treston (29 mins); G van De Wyer for McEvoy (55 mins); J Kilgallon for Rogers (76 mins).

Referee: T Redmond (Leinster).