Harlequins fall inches short of a semi-final berth
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Paul Gustard's first season in charge of Harlequins saw the club go from 10th place in the league to inches short of making the semi-finals of the competition.
His side headed to the Ricoh in the final round of the regular season needing two points from the fixture to claim the final spot in the semi-finals where they would Exeter Chiefs.
By the 57thth minute it looked as if Harlequins would fall at the final hurdle as they trailed Wasps 24-8 thanks to a Joe Simpson brace and an early Josh Bassett try.
However, Gustard's men fought back with Danny Care and replacement hooker Elia Elia dotting down for the visitors with James Lang adding the extras and a penalty as Harlequins headed into the final moments of the game needing three points to win it and secure a place in the semi final.
Having not missed a single kick all game, replacement fly-half James Lang narrowly stepped up to take a last-gasp penalty from just inside his own half but his final kick just didn't have the legs as Wasps edged out a thrilling 27-25 victory in the climax to the regular season at the Ricoh Arena.
James Lang had the kick to send Harlequins to the post-season. He fell agonisingly short.
— Rugby on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) May 18, 2019
Fine margins at the highest level! pic.twitter.com/odqsLfJL8u
Had Lang been accurate, Quins would have qualified for the playoffs at Northampton’s expense.
Here is what the Harlequins head coach had to say after the game.
🗣 "There are a lot of disappointed bodies."
— Harlequins 🃏 (@Harlequins) May 19, 2019
🎥 Paul Gustard on the defeat to Wasps and watching that last-minute kick.#COYQ pic.twitter.com/YWHff9dFcG
