Greenwood's tragic week overshadows Quins win

A sombre mood engulfed the Stoop as Will Greenwood, Harlequins' England and Lions centre, was forced to withdraw before the match after the tragic death on Thursday evening of his new-born son, Frederick George Arthur. Born prematurely, Frederick died 45 minutes after his birth. Harlequins wore black arm-bands and the sell-out crowd observed a minute's silence impeccably.

"It is a tragedy and everyone at the club sends their sincere condolences to Will and Caroline," said Mark Evans, Harlequins' chief executive.

After such news it was no surprise that the match struggled to ignite into the spectacle that the rivalry between these clubs demands. Quins, however, will be satisfied with their first victory of the season, especially as their defence was solid throughout and conceded only a single try, Pieter Rossouw giving Irish a glimmer of hope in the 72nd minute as he dived into the corner to complete one of the visitors' few attacks of pace and style.

Irish's impotence was partly due to the Quins forwards defending aggressively around the fringes and preventing easy yards and quick ball – but also to a lack of imagination and flair among their backs. Brendan Venter's return looks increasingly vital for the Exiles as his organisational skills will add potency to their attacks and stiffen a defence who conceded three tries.

The Quins forwards did more than defend well, though, and, as the game went on, they started to dominate, an unlikely scenario when they nearly buckled in the first few scrums. Their loose play, led by Tony Diprose, was well structured and resulted in the first two tries.

Matt Moore benefited in the 19th minute from their catch and drive towards the posts – and from the quick thinking and manual dexterity of Ace Tiatia, as his overhead miss-pass gave the winger the corner. The second try in the 50th minute, by Ben Gollings, came after Quins' relentless progress from an attacking scrum, Paul Burke supplying the final pass. This ensured a 10-point lead that Quins never looked like relinquishing. David Slemen, on for the injured Paul Burke, added to it with a drop-goal and, to dash Irish hopes completely, Nick Greenstock sprinted 80 yards for a break-away score after catching a chip-kick in the chest.

A point may have been squandered when Slemen attempted another drop-goal in the final minute but the win was secure and, in Quins' parlous position, represented a good result on a sad day.

Harlequins: N Williams; M Moore, N Greenstock, V Satala, B Gollings; P Burke (D Slemen, 55), S Bemand; J Leonard (capt), T Fuga, L Gomez (B Starr, 73), B Davison (J Evans, 73), A Codling, A Tiatia, P Sanderson, T Diprose.

London Irish: M Horak (M Mapletoft, 69); K Barrett, N Burrows, G Appleford, P Rossouw; B Everitt, D Edwards; M Worsley (N Hatley, 48), R Kirke (N Drotske, 65), R Hardwick (P Durant, 61), K Burke (P Gustard, 51), B Casey, D Danaher, K Dawson (J Cockle, 60), R Strudwick (capt).

Referee: D Pearson (Northumberland)