1s back to winning ways

Firstly, a bit of context. In November last year, the 1s suffered a perfect storm. A combination of our relatively small squad, injuries, work and the World Cup meant that we made the long trip to Saracens with just 13 players.

Jump forward 12 months and a similar situation threatened to strike. Key players were injured or ill. Others had work commitments. England were playing Argentina and our opposition are found somewhere on the map marked “Here be Dragons”.

Thankfully, one of the massive improvements we have made this season has been in player recruitment. Thanks therefore to Audie Jones, Jeff Rivadeneira and Simon Hubbard who pulled on the quarters for the first time and made sure that we at least had a full complement this time around – even if it was a squad which included six front row and four guys playing out of position.

Moreover, having lost our past two games, Quins were especially keen for a win. Cuffley have been something of an unknown quantity however. They joined the league this season coming up from the Merit Table and have had mixed results.

The upshot is that the day started with the two teams separated by just two points in the middle of HM2. This had all the markings of a close game where small margins could make all the difference.

What was also clear was that Cuffley were typical of teams in HM2; big boys who would be strong upfront. However, throughout the season Quins have shown that they have the fitness to play for the full 80 minutes; scoring with the last play of the game is becoming something of a habit.

In the weak autumn sunshine, Quins kicked off and the tone was quickly set for the game. Cuffley clearly had a dominant scrum and a powerful rolling maul but Quins looked to have the edge in the backs. With both sides falling foul of the ref (particularly at the lineout), it was clear that the game could go either way.

Against West London and Old Is we allowed ourselves to be sucked into a slugfest. With our smaller, fitter team it’s middleweights against heavyweights so it was key that we learn from previous mistakes.

Sticking to our own game plan, slowly but surely Quins managed to withstand the early onslaught and get a toehold into the game. Something closer to parity was achieved in the scrum (Cameron Gray even nicking a ball against the head) and Quins were generally managing to stay on the right side of the ref.

Finally, the ability to play running rugby told as a lineout led to hands along the back line and Alec Smail going over for the game’s opening try. George Jaques added the conversion.

As predicted however this wasn’t to be a one-sided game. A mistake at the lineout in Quins’ red zone let the Cuffley prop carry the ball up the wing. The resulting try and missed conversion made it 5-7.

In such a see-saw game, both teams were playing to their strengths – and largely cancelling each other out. Eventually however, Cuffley were caught too narrow in defence and George Jaques was able to dot down over the whitewash. Cuffley 5-12 Quins.

Once again however Cuffley repeatedly sent up their big runners until finally a crack appeared and they crashed over for a 5-pointer of their own meaning that the teams changed ends at 10-12.

How would the second half pan out? But for the lack of a Cuffley kicker, the game would be all square so the next score felt vital.

To Quins’ dismay therefore it was Cuffley who struck first. Once again their forward power telling and with a new player taking over kicking duties, for the first time Cuffley were in front 17-12 (despite the ref insisting it was 22-12).

Quins needed a response and quickly. In perhaps the turning point of the game, the Cuffley tighthead went down with an ankle injury. Although he tried to play on after treatment, by the next scrum it was clear that he’d need to be replaced.

The change in front row seemed to weaken the Cuffley scrum as Quins were now more than holding their own. With their main attacking weapon blunted, Cuffley seemed not to have a plan B. Never was this more evident than when Cuffley had two penalties in the Quins 22 and on both occasions opted for the scrum. The Quins defence held firm however and Cuffley left unrewarded. In addition, Quins’ superior fitness was starting to tell as the game was frequently broken up for Cuffley “injuries”.

With around 10 minutes to go, Quins launched an attack in the Cuffley 22. Once again, the ball was spun along the backline before Audie Jones set off on a bullocking run which took him over the line for a try by the posts. George couldn’t miss the conversion and Quins were back in front 17-19.

With five minutes to go, it was Quins in the box seat and looking to control the game. The plan so nearly backfired with Cuffley having a shot at goal following a debateable penalty. The ball drifted wide and was dotted down by Alec Smail for a 22 dropout.

Time was nearly up but Quins weren’t done yet. A sweeping move with offloads coming from all quarters led to a ruck on the Cuffley try line tight in the left hand corner. Not completely in the corner however as Michael Barrell was able to find a gap and score near the corner flag. Cuffley 17-24 Quins and time was up after the conversion. George Jaques’ kick had the legs but was right of the posts giving Cuffley the comfort of at least a losing bonus point.

So a game which Quins perhaps on paper should have lost turned out to be a bonus point win. With the middle of HM2 being so tight and only eight points between third and seventh, this was a welcome victory and keeps Quins in touch with the top half of the table.

Man of the Match: Dan Chappell