Harlequins 31 Newcastle Falcons 12

HARLEQUINS boss Dean Richards described as ‘‘outstanding’’ the four-try blitz which ensured his side a home semi-final against London Irish in the Guinness Premiership championship playoffs.

Quins tore into Newcastle from the opening whistle, racing to a 26-0 lead before running out 31-12 winners.

‘‘The first 30 minutes was something special. We were outstanding and were well worth our four tries,’’ Richards said.

‘‘The passing and continuity showed the Quins style, which is playing with pace and ambition. We showed everything we are about and have been all season.

‘‘We’re delighted we’ve got what we wanted out of today.’’ Harlequins put the disappointment of their one-point defeat to Leinster in the Heineken Cup quarter-finals firmly behind them as they turned on the style.

‘‘The last couple of weeks have been pretty difficult, losing to Leinster and going up to Sale five days later and getting turned over,’’ Richards added.

‘‘I thought continuity was important and it paid dividends.

It was a fast track and people will always be worried about a Harlequins side on a fast track.’’ Richards withdrew England winger Ugo Monye, the only Harlequins player named in the Lions squad to tour South Africa, with a ‘‘hamstring tweak’’ at half-time – two minutes after he had scored his side’s fifth try – but expects him to be fit for the semi-final on Saturday, May 9.

Quins scrum-half Danny Care staked a claim to replace Irishman Tomas O’Leary in the Lions squad after O’Leary broke his ankle in Munster’s Magners League victory over Scarlets.

‘‘I think they’ll look at him but whether they’ll take Danny or Dwayne Peel, you never know,’’ added Richards.

‘‘It depends whether they go for experience or technical ability or just flair.”

Newcastle director of rugby Steve Bates felt the game was ‘‘a step too far’’ for his side.

‘‘Today was a tale of them having something huge to play for,’’ he said.

‘‘Last week at home to Bath was a massive game when we said goodbye to a lot of players.

Fair play to Quins. They were very good in the first half, very robust, moved the ball well and played quickly.”

England No 8 Nick Easter stormed in for the first two tries inside 17 minutes, while hooker Tani Fuga grabbed the third and full-back Mike Brown clinched the bonus point with 11 minutes still to go until half-time.

Monye’s try was a brilliant solo effort in the 38th minute, and fly-half Waisea Luveniyali kicked three conversions.

The bold policy paid off in the seventh minute after they passed up the chance of an easy penalty goal.

Care took the tap-kick quickly, running the ball before releasing Easter, who was driven over.

Newcastle, weakened by the late withdrawal of England centre Jamie Noon with a back spasm, could not contain Harlequins.

But they scored from their first real attack. The breakaway saw Tom May, switched from fly-half to the centre after Noon’s withdrawal, hauled down just short.

The Falcons recycled the ball and Geoff Parling, a 22ndminute replacement for injured No 8 Adam Balding, scored on his farewell appearance before joining Leicester.

Newcastle showed more resolve in the second half as Harlequins were disrupted by injuries. Replacement scrumhalf Hall Charlton grabbed a late second try.