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Jonny Sexton gets a pass away under the watchful eye of Nick Easter. INPHO/Andrew Fosker
Reality check

Sexton's Heineken Cup dreams in ruins as Racing lose to 'Quins again

The French side have lost their last three European outings after an opening win over Clermont.

JONATHAN SEXTON WILL not be winning a fourth Heineken Cup this season after Racing Métro were comprehensively beaten for the second weekend in a row. Charlie Walker scored the only try of the game for Harlequins in a 17-3 home win.

Racing, who were thumped 32-8 by Conor O’Shea’s side at Stade de la Beaujoire last weekend showed more fight at The Stoop today but still looked second best.

Sexton missed the first chance to draw blood, on two minutes, when he skewed an early penalty. It was the out-half’s third missed penalty in a row, beginning with his late attempt from the tee against New Zealand. Harlequins’ Kiwi out-half Nick Evans made no mistake with his first two attempts and the English side were 6-0 ahead after 15 minutes.

Walker’s try, just before the break, effectively ended the contest. He evaded Dan Lydiate in midfield and streaked clear to dot down. Ben Botica added a Quins penalty on 53 minutes before Sexton got his side on the board, six minutes later, with a penalty.

Sexton, and Welsh scrum-half Mike Phillips, were withdrawn on 62 minutes as Racing accepted their Heineken Cup fate. They will now concentrate on securing a spot in the top six of the French league and aim for European glory again in 2014/15.

Harlequins have won their last two games after a losing start to Pool 4. They will need to win their final two matches to have any hope of progressing to the quarter finals.

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