Quins cruise past Wasps

George Lowe and Nick Robinson tussle at The Stoop

Harlequins consolidated their six-point lead atop the Aviva Premiership and plunged Wasps further into the relegation mire following a 33-17 victory at The Stoop.

England captain Chris Robshaw was among the try-scorers as Harlequins rubber-stamped their Premiership semi-final berth with a comfortable bonus-point triumph.

Robshaw was joined on the scoresheet by Ugo Monye, George Robson and Jordan Turner-Hall, with Rory Clegg adding 13 points with the boot.

But while it was all smiles for Quins the defeat rounded off a terrible day for Wasps, who saw relegation rivals Newcastle move to within four points of them after victory at Gloucester.

Entertaining

Dai Young's side played some entertaining rugby at The Stoop with Christian Wade and Ross Filipo crossing for scores - and Nicky Robinson kicking seven points - but it was Quins, and Robshaw's, day.

Quins dominated the early exchanges and put themselves three points to the good on five minutes when Wasps were penalised for slowing the ball down. Clegg kicked the resulting penalty.

Just three minutes later it was all square, Robinson slotting a penalty after Quins were penalised for going off their feet.

After a period of concerted pressure the home side made it 6-3 midway through the first half through another Clegg penalty.

The first try of the game came on 23 minutes when birthday boy Monye celebrated in perfect style after a long try-drought - put in in the corner by full-back Mike Brown.

Clegg missed the extras and was off-target from out wide again as Quins secured their second score of the game through Robson.

Once again Quins profited from putting the visitors under a period of concerted pressure with the second row ultimately strolling over for the score.

Mistake

But after the home side had dominated the half it was Wasps who had the last laugh. Wade took a beautiful inside ball from fly-half Robinson and finished well under the posts.

The former Gloucester number 10 added the extras to make it 16-10 at the interval.

Six minutes after the break Quins bagged their third score of the evening when skipper Robshaw - the star of the first 40 minutes - burrowed over from close range.

Fellow flanker Maurie Fa'asavalu bulldozed his way to within touching distance of the Wasps line and when he was held, the ball was recycled and Robshaw - playing his first Premiership game at the Stoop in six months - found a way over at the second attempt.

Fly-half Clegg made no mistake with the conversion from in front of the posts but he was more tested with his next successful two-pointer.

This time it was Turner-Hall who crossed in the corner, after an excellent scoring pass from rookie winger Sam Smith, and Clegg slotted the kick to make it 30-10.

With the bonus-point try in the bag Quins sensed blood and, but for some cynical work from Billy Vunipola, would have made it five tries before the hour mark.

The Wasps back-rower was yellow-carded for his efforts with Clegg kicking the resulting penalty to make it 33-10.

However with the Stoop crowd eyeing a fifth score it was the visitors who crossed next. Wade produced an impressive break from his own 22 with Filipo ultimately crossing in the corner on 63 minutes, Robinson converting.

Both sides had chances to add further scores in the final stages but it was Quins who were left to celebrate a resounding victory which leaves them in the box seat to claim a home semi-final.