Away matches bring their difficulties, but with Wimbledon Ladies so close to Quins’ training ground, the team arrived relatively fresh-faced and eager to crack on with the game. Pressure from the forwards, ably support by the backs in the first half put the Ladies ahead by 5-0 at half time. Not quite the glorious start to the season some were hoping for, but with a forward-dominated team and a number of new players perhaps a realistic score line. Julie Gilbert nailed her second try of the match soon into the second half, superbly converted by all-rounder Kate Sinfield. Wimbledon, not to be outdone, followed Quins Ladies’ points with an unconverted try of their own.

Harlequins Ladies’ steadfast spirit kept the pressure on allowing Julie Gilbert to complete her hat trick and present Miss Sinfield with the opportunity to once again sail the ball safely over the posts. Team Captain Laura Quinn proved that a few months off travelling have done nothing to stave her passion for the game and her tenacity stretched Quins Ladies’ lead with two late tries, unfortunately not converted. Heading into the final straight, Quins Ladies lost prop Katherine Smith to an ankle injury. Wimbledon capitalised on the momentary fluster and with no reprieve from their attack notched up a converted try with the last move of the game.

An excellent game for the hard-working forwards coupled with flashes of dangerousness from the back line demonstrates a good start to the season with a few areas to improve on – subsequent matches against Richmond on Thursday 10th September and London Welsh on Sunday 20th September will provide the arena for fine-tuning Quins Ladies’ league campaign.