Quins 9 Braves 20

Harlequins 9

Exeter Braves 20

Mark Stevens at The Stoop

A powerful second half showing saw the Exeter Braves kick-off the new Aviva A League campaign with victory over Harlequins at The Stoop.

Trailing to three penalties from home fly-half James Lang at the break, Ricky Pellow's side were much improved after the break, hauling themselves back into contention with a robust display.

Forwards Shaun Malton and James Freeman both claimed a try apiece for the visitors, while playmaker Joe Simmonds weighed in with the remainder of their points, courtesy of two penalties and two conversions.

It was a strong Braves side that took to the field for this opening night fixture in the capital. The experienced Julian Salvi skippered a visiting pack that included not only international props Moray Low and Greg Holmes, but the returning Mitch Lees and South African newcomer Wilhelm van der Sluys.

Behind them, Will Chudley and Joe Simmonds were entrusted with the playmaking roles at half-back, while Sam Morley - who has impressed many during pre-season - was a late call-up at full-back after Sal M'Boge was forced to withdraw through injury.

Lining up on the opposite side to the Braves was a familiar face in former Exeter scrum-half Dave Lewis, while there was plenty of firepower out back for the Londoners with the likes of Winston Stanley, Tim Visser and Tim Swiel all been handed starting roles.

Early doors in the contest and it was the Braves who looked the more threatening, dominating possession and offering some genuine threat through the strong running of both Pete Laverick and Tom Hendrickson.

Exeter's early endeavour, however, failed to bring reward and having soaked up the visiting pressure it was the turn of the home side to flex their muscles in attack. But, just like the Braves had found, battering down the opposition defensive line proved a tough assignment.

With the scoreboard untroubled during a rather mediocre first quarter, it was Harlequins who eventually broke the game's deadlock on 26 minutes. Threatening deep inside the Exeter 22, Lees was penalised by referee Adam Leal for not rolling away in front of his own posts and up stepped Lang to slot the resultant penalty.

Lang doubled his tally just five minutes later, slotting a second successful penalty of the game, this after van der Sluys was adjudged to have taken Lewis out off the ball.

The Braves did their best to counter at the other end through winger Tom O'Flaherty, but his fly-hack through the middle was safely gobbled up by Stanley and Quins were able to relieve the danger with relative ease.

As half time approached, Harlequins saw a golden opportunity go begging when Swiel somehow flung the ball back inside to a Braves player, rather than pin his ears beg and scorch to the line.

Exeter's let-off was shortlived when, in the final play of the half, Salvi was the latest to fall foul of Leal, this after he had appeared to have put in a big shot in midfield. Again, Lang made no mistake to give his side a 9-0 lead at the turn.

HALF TIME          HARLEQUINS 9      EXETER BRAVES 0

Lees and Chudley both departed at the break for Stu Townsend and Tom Lawday respectively - and the new recruits were involved in a strong start to the half for the Braves, who won a succession of early scrum penalties just five metres from the home line. However, try as they may, the visitors could not make their supremacy up front tell, again fluffing their lines when they came within inches of the home line.

As the minutes ticked by, the Braves continued to push hard in attack. A succession of penalties again got them to within touching distance of the Harlequins line. The initial raid of a five-minute line-out failed to bring reward, but when Leal awarded them a second chance, this time they made no mistake.

Malton found van der Sluys at the front of the set-piece, the fellow forwards piled in around the towering lock and when push came to shove, it was Malton who burrowed his way over the line for the opening try, which was converted with aplomb by the right boot of Simmonds.

The score clearly ignited the Braves who, heading into the final quarter, certainly had more conviction about them than at any other stage of the night.

Sensing they could land a telling blow, the visitors continued to push forward in numbers. Initially Harlequins did well to repel the threat, but when Townsend was taken out illegally in midfield, it offered the perfect opportunity for Simmonds to step forward and drill a lengthy penalty between the home posts.

Townsend - who back in May was lining up as a starter in the Aviva Premiership final against Wasps - was leading the charge for the Braves. One particular clearance kick, which he followed up, underlined the energy he was bringing to proceedings as he helped to position the visitors to within five metres of the line once more.

Again, Harlequins did well to hold of a series of pick-and-go raids from Pellow's men, but when they threatened again with a similar tactic, there was to be no stopping the men from Devon when, after a sustained spell of pressure, Freeman drove himself under the home posts for the score.

Simmonds duly obliged with the extras to that score, before adding a second penalty just minutes later to put the seal on a hard-working victory for the Braves, who will now ready themselves for the visit of Bristol to Sandy Park this Saturday (5:15pm).

Harlequins: T Swiel; C Murley (N Saunders 75), W Stanley, H Sloan, T Visser; J Lang, D Lewis (capt, C Waters 60); L Boyce (C Holenstein 75), E Elia (C Piper 75), P Swainston (J Ibuanokpe 65); J Okafor (L Jones 47), S South; D Lamb, A White, R Bothma (W Ryan 11). 

Penalties - Lang (3)

Exeter Braves: S Morley; T O'Flaherty, T Hendrickson, H Skinner (H Strong 65), P Laverick (H Cully 77); J Simmonds, W Chudley (S Townsend h/t); M Low (B Keast 57), S Malton (J Innard 62), G Holmes (J Owlett 51); T Salmon (S Lonsdale 33), M Lees (T Lawday h/t); W van der Sluys, J Salvi (capt), J Freeman. 

Tries - Malton, Freeman; Conversions - J Simmonds (2); Penalties - J Simmonds (2)

Referee: A Leal