Quins Return to Earth Against Old Isleworthians

In a high scoring encounter Harlequins just come off worse in a 14 a side friendly curtain raiser at Old Isleworthians.

But more importantly for the first time in 3 years Harlequin Amateurs fielded 2 teams. I will let James Welsh write the match report for that one.

On Thursday afternoon we were looking good having 18 available, but in a short period of time, we lost 4 nearly all to injury, it was obvious the team was struggling after a long season, when everybody was made up of about 50% strapping, including my own pretty shoddy attempt to strap my shoulder.

Old Isleworthians were equally struggling and only able to field 14 men, so 14 a side it was. Now the referee, unable to book one, Dave Samuel stepped in to make sure the game went ahead so thanks to Dave.

With all the injuries the starting line up was interesting, George Jaques moved to 8 with Dave Love filling in at 2nd row, Aaron Addis played at 12, JC at 13 and Chris Addis was given his first start on the wing, congratulations to Chirs.

The game started in a poor fashion, with Quins unable to gel with the new line up, Old Isleworthians scored fairly easily with their fly half causing problems.

After about 20 minutes and 28-0 down, Quins started to play, and inside ball from Simon Rowland saw George power his way over for his first score. Now with some ball Aaron started to cause a big headache to the Old Isleworthians defence breaking the gain line in nearly every run.

I can't remember the order in which they scored so will just do our own tries. Aaron Addis was rewarded for his good play by running through 2 tackles to score under the posts.

After a `good phase of possession quick hands saw JC finish of an easy opportunity to put to bed his nightmare of dropping the ball over the line. In the second half, Quins were playing into quite a strong wind, which their 10 kept using with his already large boot.

Paul Hibbert with a trademark quick tap and jink made a lot of ground, being chased down, offloaded around the back of the tackler to George in support who scored his 2nd of the match.

Ed Barrett scored his fifth of the season, to win his competition with Dave Love who has scored four this season, I do apologise to Ed as I can't remember how he scored.

Also I apologise to George and Aaron who both scored one more each. George slotted four conversions, and has finished top scorer for the season, well done George.

That is the end of the 15s season, this coming Saturday we are playing the Chiswick 7s tournament to try and defend out title and add a second piece of silverware to the season.

If you're not playing come down, watch and drink, should be a good laugh. If you've been sin binned this season, you owe a case of beer, this would be an ideal time to pay your debt.

IMPORTANT 9th May is the End of Season meal and presentation meal.