1s back in winning ways

Saturday afternoon saw Harlequin Amateurs put a tough first half of the season behind them and kick 2016 off in style with a 23-17 victory over Mill Hill RFC at St Mary's.

In a season that had so far only brought one victory in seven attempts, Quins knew that they had to be at the top of their game if they were to get anything from a side that arrived at St Mary's in 7th position, and a full 15 points ahead of us in the league. Even more so due to the fact we started the game with no less than four forwards in our back line.

The long journey meant Mill Hill arrived comparatively late and Quins went out knowing that if they hit the ground running, they might catch Mill Hill napping in the opening stages. This seemed to be exactly the case as Paul Hibbert chased the kick off well and sent possession immediately back to Quins. The forwards worked through the phases into the Mill Hill 22 and were rewarded with a penalty for their efforts. George Jaques sent the ball through the posts to give Quins a 3-0 lead after only a few minutes. Quins continued to be dominant in the first third of the match, especially at the set piece with props Dave Love and Nick Tyler having the upper hand on their opposite numbers, we were winning numerous scrums against the head, and Mitch Collins making himself a nuisance at the front of the lineout. This pressure finally lead to some points after a perfectly weighted pass sent Chris Weatherley over in the corner for his first try for the club. The missed conversion leaving the score at 8-0.

While we always seemed to have the upper hand at scrum and lineout time, Mill Hill really started to fight back and began to stretch our defence. But not before more great ball retention and phase play from the pack allowed the backs to release Michael Barrell who darted over the try line with the big Mill Hill centre still clinging onto his neck. Another missed conversion meant the score stayed at 13-0.

Mill Hill were a constant threat and Quins had to throw everything at them to keep their big ball carriers quiet. However that pressure finally told and we conceded a comparatively soft try as they managed to exploit possibly the only hole in our defence all afternoon to score an unconverted try which brought the score to 13-7 at half time.

Quins started the second half in much the same fashion as the first, keeping the ball well and putting bodies on the line in defence to repel the Mill Hill runners, particularly a couple of big hits coming in from Will Flaherty. Just as in the first half, our pressure took its toll and Joe Watkins cut a great line to run in under the posts. George converted, 20-7.

Despite the score line, Mill Hill displayed a never-say-die attitude not many other teams would show and started to gain ascendancy with their half backs running the game well. They were rewarded when after numerous unsuccessful attempts to run through us, they managed to cross the line out wide for an unconverted try . 20-12.

The game continued in similar vein, both sides throwing everything at each other but Quins took advantage of some Mill Hill indiscipline to slot over a penalty to take the score to 23-12 with less than 15 minutes remaining. Once again, just as Quins began to feel the game was out of reach, Mill Hill rallied and managed to charge down an attempted clearance and pounce on the ball first. 23-17.

Memories of last seasons 18-21 loss after a final play penalty against the same opposition meant that Mill Hill were as determined to pinch a result as we were to give them nothing to take back up the North Circular. Both sides fought for the win and big tackles were being put in, notably Matt Smith, playing his third ever game of rugby, who bundled his opposite number into touch after a grubber through the defence by Paul. A knock on from the resulting lineout brought the final whistle, and a much needed win for Quins.

A very committed performance from 1-18, even with hookers on each wing and, at one point, a tight five made up of four props and a flanker, means that Quins can now look forward to a second half of the season that is starting to look a lot brighter than much of the first.

We travel to Old Isleworthians next Saturday. All support on the side very much welcome.

COYQ