| Harlequins: (21) 28 |
| Tries: Esterhuizen, Smith, Murley, Riley Cons: Smith 4 |
| Glasgow Warriors: (7) 24 |
| Tries: Cummings, Matthews, Horne Pens: Horne Cons: Horne 3 |
Hooker Sam Riley scored a late attempt as Harlequins defeated Glasgow Warriors in a thriller to guide their spot within the Investec Champions Cup quarter-finals.
The Warriors began quick as Scott Cummings went over, earlier than Quins responded with three tries.
Andre Esterhuizen, Marcus Smith and Cadan Murley crossed for a 21-7 lead.
Glasgow hooker Johnny Matthews and George Horne sparked the sport again into life, however Riley responded handy Harlequins a historic victory.
This was Quins’ first knockout win in Europe’s top-tier competitors of their historical past, with the prize a quarter-final towards Bordeaux Begles or Saracens subsequent weekend.
An away win for Saracens on Saturday, who suffered a membership document European defeat by Bordeaux through the pool levels, would imply a house tie for Harlequins of their first quarter-final in 11 years.
Smith stars as Quins maintain on
Franco Smith’s beginning XV contained 11 Scotland internationals and it didn’t take them lengthy to indicate their class, with lock Cummings powering his manner over to reward Glasgow’s quick begin in assault.
Moist and tough circumstances didn’t stop each side from enjoying within the first half as Quins turned down photographs at objective to hunt the utmost reward.
Their bravery lastly resulted in factors, as Marcus Smith’s cross-field kick was brilliantly picked up by Esterhuizen on the wing.
The England playmaker missed the opening three rounds of the Six Nations due to harm, however got here on to kick the successful drop-goal towards Eire in spherical 4, earlier than ending sharply for a attempt in defeat by France in Lyon.
His affect left England questioning what may have been if match for the entire championship, and his dancing toes to seize his aspect’s second attempt as soon as once more confirmed his particular person brilliance.
The 25-year-old then turned supplier with some sharp arms to ship Murley over untouched.
Glasgow have scored essentially the most tries from mauls throughout European leagues this season and so they turned to this deadly weapon after the interval as Matthews went over to begin their fightback.
Horne’s attempt rapidly adopted earlier than he knocked over a penalty to regain their lead.
However Quins discovered their composure and opted for a driving maul as an alternative of doubtless levelling the sport with a penalty, and the courageous name was rewarded with the successful attempt.
Added to his touches in assault Smith was impeccable off the kicking tee, with three conversions within the first half and the fourth with minutes remaining, protecting Glasgow out of three-point vary.
‘That is a monkey off the again’ – Smith
Participant of the match Smith, talking on TNT Sports activities about relinquishing a 14-point half-time lead: “Every time we’re forward, we appear to let the opposition in; that is one thing we’re engaged on.
“We’re nonetheless not the place we wish to be, however we have one other European knockout now, which is thrilling.
“Within the final two years we have fallen at this hurdle, in order that’s a monkey off the again. We’ll get pleasure from tonight as a result of we have not achieved it earlier than.
“The most important factor was to stay to the plan. Glasgow are a superb workforce, and large credit score goes to the forwards for mauling over on the finish there.”
Line-ups
Harlequins: Inexperienced; Lynagh, Beard, Esterhuizen, Murley; Smith, Care; Baxter, Walker, Collier, Herbst, Hammond, Lewies (capt), Evans, Dombrandt.
Replacements: Riley, Marler, Lewis, Launchbury, Trenholm, Lawday, Inexperienced, Anderson.
Sin-bin: Joe Marler (62)
Glasgow: McKay; Steyn (capt), McDowall, Tuipulotu, Rowe; Jordan, Horne; McBeth, Matthews, Z Fagerson, Williamson, Cummings, M Fagerson, Darge, Dempsey.
Replacements: Hiddleston, Kebble, Sordoni, Manjezi, Miller, Venter, Dobie, Weir.
Sin-bin: Sione Tuipulotu (33)
Referee: Tual Trainini (France)