Injury takes edge off Quins cup win

Harlequins smashed the French monopoly of Europe's secondary tournament yesterday, dredging deep into their stamina to win another extra-time final despite a serious injury to David Wilson.

The London club's jubilation over what was at times quite literally a staggering 42-33 victory against Narbonne coincided with fears that the cruciate ligament damage to their Australian captain's knee will put him out of the game for anything up to nine months.

Like Leicester 24 hours earlier and England last month, Quins came from behind before 10,000 at the Madejski Stadium to demonstrate once again that when it comes to basic fitness, the French do not shape up. Narbonne, who should have avoided an extra half hour by winning in normal time, ran themselves virtually to a standstill before running out of puff.

Stuart Reid, their Scottish captain appearing in his last match before rejoining the police in Edinburgh, had warned of the consequences of too much smoking and drinking among French players. Once they had survived a torrid finale at 26-26 to win the reprieve of extra-time, Quins sensed the Cup would be theirs.

Will Greenwood, instrumental in making the first try for Ben Gollings, made the last for Daren O'Leary before Paul Burke drove the European Shield deeper into Quins' pockets, three more extra-time goals giving their Irish stand off a perfect 10 out of 10. As a consequence, Saracens' miserable season was complete, Quins taking the last English place for the Heineken Cup next season. The irony will not have been lost on Quins' chief executive Mark Evans and team manager Mike Scott, both ex-Saracens. Narbonne coach Pierre Arrambide accused Quins of cheating by persistently offending in the rucks.

But Evans shrugged off the charge, saying: 'This is a significant achievement.'