Now that everyone has sobered up, I have to confess. I wasn’t a believer.
Back in the Spring, I was discussing Quins’ improvement. The run you were on was undoubtedly impressive but in my wisdom I knew that without a few key players at 7, 8, 9, 10, 12 and 15 you wouldn’t succeed.
As WEv, Andre and Brownie fell by the wayside I waited for my “I told you so” moment.
I was so ready to confirm my rugby intellect when you lost to Irish and Wasps. The losses that showed Quins’ soft underbelly. That you had a strong first XV but too much of a drop off behind them.
Except you didn’t. Your boys showed amazing fortitude. Those last minute wins were infuriating. 🤣🤣
I thought a semi-final against Bristol was your best chance of maybe keeping it close. In a knock-out game you might just be able to come out on the right side of the score line.
At 28-0 down, that was never going to happen. You’d had one game too many without those key players.
Kenningham would be seen to be a good young prospect but not WEv. Green was electric but you lacked Brown’s leadership and solidity. Nobody had replaced the human battering ram.
But again Quins managed to dig deep and confound my expectations.
“Ah but, they’ve played their final a week early. And Tigers had already shown it is possible to get at Bristol anyway. Exeter will he too savvy.”
Such a shame to have had such a comeback in the semifinal and they’ll have nothing to show for it.
On Saturday, I was (of course) supporting Quins but had mixed emotions. A small part of me still wanted to have been right. (Plus, Danny’s going to be insufferable on the BBC pod 🤣).
But mostly, I was swept up in it all. The fairytale had to have a happy ending. I just couldn’t see it happening.
I should have believed in this team.
👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
