Quins are denied as Tigers snatch draw

ON a weekend of bizarrely one-sided games, a full throated and entertaining draw in front of nearly 80,000 fans at Twickenham redressed the balance a little but this 16th edition of the Big Match wasn’t without controversy.

- BRENDAN GALLAGHER

Cadan Murley’s converted try in the 70th minute to give Quins an important seven-point lead came off a blatant forward pass from Alex Dombrandt and it remains mystifying why with a plethora of technology officialdom missed it entirely. Getting try decisions right is the raison d’etre for TMOs.

So Tigers can feel aggrieved although Michael Cheika will be encouraged by their never-say-die attitude which still salvaged the draw and a try bonus with a late score from about six inches from a beaming Dan Cole.

Both sides had good reason to hit the match running after disappointing performances last week and the result was a high octane first half featuring some of the best action of the festive period.