Pre-match it was a mini flashback to the Pirates one previous visit to the Twickenham Stoop in November, 2005, the atmosphere sporting between both sets of supporters and there once again a welcome opportunity to meet up with Pirate 'exiles' from about the country.

On a fine summer's afternoon both sides looked keen, sharp and willing from the very start, but it was the home team's winger David Strettle that posed the first threat on the right, as all gathered at the famous ground, named after Adrian Dura Stoop, an England fly-half from a century earlier, watched from the main stand.

The Pirates, however, held firm, for skipper Gavin Cattle to then clear the danger with a fine kick to touch on the right. From the resulting line-out the 'Quins' knocked the ball forward, providing an opportunity for the visitors to make use of secured possession by bringing Nick Jackson in off his wing.

The young South African made good yardage from where full-back Wes Davies joined play and transferred the ball to left wing Aisea Havili. A chance of a score was on, and 'Ice' went mightily close at the corner, only to be denied because of a superb last-ditch defensive effort from the home team. this stage appeared a match for their illustrious opponents, with flanker Blair Cowan outstanding.

Fine work from Care and his half-back partner Nick Evans, a former 'All Black', was given support by centre Tosh Masson and skipper Will Skinner, who took play to inside the Pirates '22'. It was the Quins second realistic threat, but again their hopes were dashed as Havili intercepted to set off on an 80 metres run to the line.

It was a long way to go, him chased all the way by full-back Ugo Monye, who played for the British Lions on their recent tour to South Africa.

It appeared that Havili had been hauled down just a few metres just short of the line, but through sheer determination and roared on by seemingly both sets of supporters the rejuvenated Tongan international scrambled his way over to celebrate a try scored to the left of the posts which was converted by fly-half Jonny Bentley.

The Quins, with Evans and England No. 8 Nick Easter setting the example, looked to hit back immediately, only to be initially denied when Monye's pass to Argentine international wing Gonzalo Camacho was adjudged forward.

However, it mattered not, for as it worked out Care took a quick-tap penalty not long after the Pirates were penalised for making an apparent high tackle, and centre Gonzalo Tiesi, another gifted Argentinean in the home team ranks, cantered over for a try converted by Evans.p

Nearly 20 minutes had gone and 7-all was perhaps a fair reflection, but the Pirates then suffered two unfortunate set-backs in losing the services through injury of centre Steve Winn and lock Ben Gulliver.

The Pirates looked unsettled and with the excellent Care alert to take advantage it was not long before Camacho this time crossed the line without hitch for and unconverted score wide out on the left.

Soon after the restart it looked as if the visitors would leak another score, but were ultimately grateful to Jackson who did well to beat Monye to the touchdown behind the Pirates line.

Havili, who was enjoying the action, then ran and kicked ahead down the left, the forward momentum maintained thanks to lock Luke Collins and hooker Rob Elloway, who were keen and effective in offering support.

With 27 minutes on the clock, Bentley attempted to reduce the arrears, which he did with a perfectly struck penalty from all of 42 metres.

As the first half was drawing to a close, another quick tap by Care and a long pass to the right put Strettle over for a try, it followed shortly after with a second for Tiesi. Evans converted both for the scoreline to read 26-10 at the break, which some would perceive as perhaps being an unfair reflection of how tight the first forty had been.

When the second half started the match briefly resembled a game of aerial ping-pong, before Cowan again showed skill firstly at the breakdown and then with a pass out of the back of a hand which brought young replacement wing Richard Bright into the action.

Harlequins then introduced a handful of replacements, all keen to impress, and one certainly making his mark in the shape of fly-half Rory Clegg. A summer signing from Newcastle Falcons, the England U20s star showed that he is surely one destined for the very top stage as his running skills set up a try for replacement hooker Tani Fuga. Clegg, for good measure, also slotted the difficult conversion from wide out on the left.

The Pirates now had a lock pairing of Matt Evans and Laurie McGlone, both back-rowers, who fronted up well, and although commitment levels never dropped, the Quins smothered the Pirates blanket-like inside their '22'. The pressure was bound to tell, and it did, it no surprise when Strettle notched up his second 5 points of the afternoon for a try converted by Clegg.

The Pirates needed a lift, and it was Bentley who duly obliged, displaying evasive running ability to make the line for a try which drew applause from all within the ground. He also added the extras.

Quality half-back play from both teams had been witnessed throughout the afternoon, and it was Clegg with a perfectly judged cross-field kick who kept up the standard, the ball cradled into the hands of his England U20s colleague Sam Smith, who scored the last try of the afternoon wide out on the right. Clegg was again on target with the conversion.

In the final minutes the Pirates looked hungry to score again themselves, with replacement prop Carl Rimmer going close with a powerful drive to the line. Replacement hooker Dave Ward and back-rower Chris Morgan also looked to keep up the assault, but the home side's defence held to the last blow of Referee Mr. Kitt's whistle.

Ahead of the Pirates opening 'Championship' game away to Nottingham, the team had emerged with great credit.

The coaches and players will be aware that there are things to work on, but they also have good reason to feel quietly upbeat for their season ahead.

Taking on Harlequins was a mighty tough challenge, there little doubt that the test faced in the capital had proved its worth.