Quins claim season opener

Evans booted 19 points in Quins' victory over London Irish

Harlequins claimed the first win of the new Aviva Premiership with a 29-24 victory over London Irish at Twickenham on Saturday.

Quins touched down twice through James Johnston and winger Ugo Monye while Nick Evans struck five penalties and two conversions to clinch victory in the season opener.

At the other end Topsy Ojo crossed twice for the Exiles and Tom Homer claimed a try plus a further 14 points with the boot.

Evans kicked Harlequins into the lead after just two minutes with a 40-metre strike but Homer levelled the scores with a touchline penalty three minutes later.

Full-back Mike Brown was hauled down by Ojo a metre out during a sustained spell of pressure by Quins and George Robson plus skipper Chris Robshaw were also stopped just short.

Sin-binned

But Johnston powered over on 17 minutes for the try and Evans converted to make it 10-3.

Homer missed a second penalty from the touchline but made no mistake to close the gap to four points after Joe Marler was sin-binned for hands in a ruck in front of his own posts.

Irish however, were unable to exploit their one-man advantage before the England Saxons prop returned and it was Quins who were able to restore the advantage through an Evans penalty.

Quins lost No 8 Tom Guest to injury a minute before the interval as the half closed out with the scores on 13-6.

Irish levelled the scores just a minute after the restart, Joseph taking in the Quins defence with a great run before offloading to Ojo who raced in.

Crashing

Evans put Quins back in front with a penalty but the Exiles response was instant, Bowden setting off on a crossfield charge before slipping the ball inside to put Ojo in for his second.

But Quins retook the lead again after just three minutes when Irish infringed again in front of their own posts and Evans was able to claim his fourth penalty.

Homer was unable to prevent Monye from crashing over in the left corner just before the hour was up, but kept Irish in touch five minutes later with another three-pointer.

Evans however, made it seven from seven to cancel out the points four minutes later, although Homer managed to slot a penalty with just two minutes to go to secure a losing bonus point.