Garryowen proved there is no substitute for experience - or opportunism - when they eventually killed off the spirited challenge of Belfast Harlequins at Ormeau on Saturday. Harlequins, who have found the going tough to date, had proved a match for their visitors for the greater part of an absorbing contest but conceded too much ground over the final furlong. And the visitors' confidence, already boosted by their containment of an early onslaught, was enhanced in the closing stages as they dealt capably with Harlequins' sporadic breakaways.
It was fitting that Jeremy Staunton should have laid the foundation stone for Garryowen's success and then cemented the victory. His opening try in the ninth minute underlined his opportunism as he availed of Killian Keane's pass to sweep in for a score, which he himself converted.
This complemented his earlier penalty and at 10-0, Garryowen were in a comfortable position. But Harlequins' hunger in the loose and their ability to drive Garryowen back on occasions gave them hope. Deriving inspiration from their hard-working captain Gerard O'Loan, they set up camp in Garryowen territory and when Andrew Matchett galloped in for a try at the end of the first quarter, the home side were very much back in business. Niall Malone's conversion and a penalty shortly afterwards consolidated their position and when Mark Crothers almost casually dropped a goal just before the break, they had earned a 13-10 half-time advantage. Garryowen's earlier gloss had become somewhat tarnished as the battling home side plugged their defensive gaps and threatened danger when going forward. They maintained the momentum on the resumption and it was not until the 61st minute that Garryowen drew level when Staunton guided over a long-range penalty. That proved the signal for an all-out Garryowen assault and with the pack now dominant, they laid siege to the Harlequins line.
However, they were denied a further try but took adequate consolation from two further penalties from Staunton - who scored all his side's points - which assured their victory.
BELFAST HARLEQUINS: R Morrow; J Lowe, M Crothers, S Coulter, A Park; N Malone, A Matchett; S Best, R Weir, D Scott, K Rabie, A Robinson, C McCarey, N Best, G O'Loan. Replacements - C Galway for Best (49 mins), P Hancock for Coulter (55 mins), C Boyd for Scott 56 mins, R Collins for Lowe 74 mins.
GARRYOWEN: P McDonagh; M Roberts, J Staunton, S MacKay, K Hartigan; K Keane, T Tierney; N Hartigan, G Walsh, R Laffan, R Leahy, E Kelly, P Neville, P Humphreys, J O'Sullivan. Replacements -: D McInerney for Keane (40 mins), T Fitzgibbon for Kelly (58 mins), D Crotty for McDonagh (64 mins), C Hartigan for Walsh (64 mins).
Referee: A Rolland (Leinster).
