Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.AFTER TWO straight League defeats and the loss of prop Jason Leonard for 30 days for stamping, Harlequins might have seen an Anglo-Welsh friendly as a soothing antidote to a troubled start to the season. But these matches clearly mean more to the rebel Welsh sides than their English counterparts and Quins could do little to prevent another morale-sapping defeat.
More than 10,000 spectators turned out to watch Cardiff defeat Saracens at home last week, while barely 2,500 - and a good number of them from south Wales - bothered to make the trip to south-west London yesterday.
Cardiff clearly also had more appetite for the fray in a scoreless first quarter. Their match-winning Polish No 8, Greg Kacala, made two thundering breaks through the midfield and Liam Botham almost went over only for Lee Jarvis to miss a simple drop-goal from the breakdown. The winger Simon Hill did cross the line but was brought back for a forward pass.
Quins spent most of the first half in ragged defence, apart from a five- minute period, which brought them a try and the lead against the run of play. Full-back Daren O'Leary had the first opportunity but opted to run sideways. It took a much more direct run from Zinzan Brooke finally to set up O'Leary for a simple try.
The powerful and committed Kacala was influential again in setting up a deserved first try for Cardiff. This time his break allowed Rob Jones to burst through from the ruck and the scrum-half's chip kick was grounded by Hill.
Quins' game deteriorated still further in the second half as Cardiff's superior play in the loose brought them both a mass of possession and two more tries. Strong running from Kacala again and Botham allowed Mike Rayer to glide over on the overlap, and Jarvis intercepted a hopelessly ambitious Quins' mis-move to sprint 60 yards for the second.
Quins did manage a couple of late consolation tries to give the scoreline a semblance of respectability, but again they in no way reflected the run of play. Hooker Colin Ridgeway was driven over from a line-out and lock Garrick Morgan sprinted clear deep into injury time.
Harlequins: D O'Leary; D Bull (P Mensah 60), D Officer, J Schuster, J Keyter; B Going (S Power 65), N Walshe; D Barnes, C Ridgeway, A Yates (R Nebbett 60), B Davison, G Morgan, G Bibby (T Collier 52), Z Brooke (K Wood 70), A Leach.
Cardiff: C Morgan (M Rayer 71); L Botham, M Hall (G Thomas 55), M Wintle, S Hill; L Jarvis, R Jones; A Lewis, P Young (J Humphreys 63), L Mustoe (D Young 71), J Tait, D Jones (K Stewart 50), O Williams, G Kacala, D Baugh (J Ringer 63).
Referee: D Price (Wales)
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments