A Fitting Finale

The 1st XV closed out the season with a trip to Uxbridge. The home team finished Phase 1 of the league at the bottom of the table and had only enjoyed one win in Phase 2. However, many of Uxbridge’s games have been close affairs and the fixture at St Mary’s finished 21-20 to Quins. On paper, this was far from a foregone conclusion.

As is to be hoped for with Spring rugby, the conditions again favoured Quins’ expansive game. As the mercury nudged 20°, it was clear that the match should be won by the fitter team – something Quins have prided themselves on this season.

Kicking off the first half, Quins had the advantage of a considerable slope so knew that they would need to make sure that they changed ends with a significant lead. The aim was to be four tries up after 40 minutes.

From the off, Quins tried to play an expansive game. The backs were keen to put width on the ball at every opportunity and use our pace out wide to get around Uxbridge. The tactic quickly paid off with winger Simon Hubbard scoring in the corner.

With the set piece going pretty well (including a couple of scrum and lineout wins against the head), Quins were enjoying significant periods of dominance. Joe Watkins was playing his typical role straightening the line, George was spinning wide passes like Beauden Barrett and Alec and Michael were hitting great lines.

Quins added another try through George Jaques who then also converted to take us into a 12-0 lead and in truth we were coasting. Throughout the season however, Quins have to often been guilty of complacency and again we allowed Uxbridge back into the game. Their converted try making the score 7-12. To achieve a four try lead at half-time, Quins needed to score again.

True to form, Joe hit a hard line and almost broke the defence. He offloaded to Alec who was able to hold off the Uxbridge players and cross the line. With George adding the extras, Quins were ahead 19-7.

Again however we allowed the opposition back into the game and with a converted try, Uxbridge were within a score at 19-14. The game could go either way and the next score was looking important.

Five minutes later, George’s touchfinder fell short and Uxbridge returned the kick. Hanging out on the wing as usual, Dave Love caught the ball and set off on a run. 40 yards later, he’d handed off a couple of Uxbridge players and flopped over the tryline. 14-24 with eight minutes of the half left.

During the half-time huddle, the talk was about not getting sucked into an arm wrestle and instead to play more to our strengths.

Results quickly followed as early on the second period Michael Barrell picked a sumptuous line onto slick passing from the backs and showing his wheels to scoot over for a try. Quins lead was extended to 14-29.

Shortly afterwards, tempers flared resulting in a scuffle between Alex Horsfall and his opposite number. With both players sinbinned, Jake Walker stepped back into the second row – hero! Unfortunately for Uxbridge, their binned player was their main lineout option and a key ball carrier so they were probably worse hit by the cards than Quins.

Quins continued to pile on the pressure, creating gaps either through hard running or by sucking in the defence to create space out wide. Chris Addis scored first on the left wing (14-34) before great interplay on the right flank between Paul Hibbert and Sean Gorman put Paul over for a try converted by George. 14-41 with 20 minutes to go and the game was over as a contest.

The focus now was on shutting out Uxbridge in the second half. Aggressive defence ensured that time and again Uxbridge’s attacks were broken down. It was Quins who managed to score next with Michael crossing for his second. 10 minutes to go and the score was 14-46.

Michael was to feature again as the clock wound down. Uxbridge span the ball wide and for once managed to get around the Quins defence. As the scrum half charged towards the corner, Michael attempted to stop him. Not the biggest, Michael put himself in harm’s way resulting in the Quins player taking a knock to the head. With two minutes remaining, Uxbridge had got a second half score (19-46) and Quins were forced to substitute a key attacking threat.

However, this season Quins have been masters of last minute plays and sure enough we were able to create one more try (our ninth) as George broke through the middle to dot down under the sticks. The season finished therefore with George lining up a conversion bang in front – which he decided to drop kick and missed.

Overall this was a fitting finale to our season giving a stark demonstration to our fitness and pace out wide and our ability to rip teams apart when we play to our full potential. The improvement from 12 months ago is incredible and gives us a great starting point for the 151st season.

Man of the Match: Dave Love