Quins Fight Back Not Enough in League Opener

Harlequin Amateurs made the trip to
Cuffley on Saturday to open their 2017/18 league campaign. After a long pre season of high quality work, Quins were in high spirits and hoping to continue their run of results against an opposition they beat twice last season.

Cuffley, however, seemed to have a
point to prove and at half time found themselves 19-5 up, despite playing part of the half down to 13 men, with two players in the bin. The five points for Quins coming from an Alec Smail try, who danced through several would-be tacklers to score in the corner.

After a slight reshuffle at half time,
Quins came out knowing they had the ability and fitness to turn the game around. Cameron Gray came into hook and a debut was given to Tom Webb who came on at 15.

As the half wore on, despite playing
into the sun and uphill, Quins started to show dominance over their Cuffley counterparts. Scrums were now being turned over, and Quins constantly found themselves getting over the gain line and on the front foot, which eventually led to scores for front rowers,
James Welsh and David Love. Quins didn’t have it all their own way, however, with Cuffley managing an unconverted try and penalty to take the score to 27-19 with 15 minutes remaining. With 2 minutes to go and a five meter scrum, the pack drove Cuffley over
the line and No.8 Sean Gorman dropped on the ball to score and take the score to 27-24.

Knowing the restart would be the last
play of the game, Quins had to run the ball back hard at Cuffley. Quins threw everything at Cuffley to force that important try, but Cuffley had other ideas and put great pressure on at the breakdown to force Quins into conceding a penalty, which was duly
kicked into touch to end the game.

Not the result that Quins would of
wanted, but to take two bonus points away from a game that looked to be over at half time shows what great spirit Quins have in the squad.

League debuts for Andrew Rostek and
Tom Webb show the quality of recruitment Quins have done over the Summer, and there was also the welcome return of Will Flaherty into the squad after a full season injured.

MOM went to Cameron Gray for his set
piece work and bulldozing runs in the loose.
DOD went to Harry Stark for his self
imposed time out.

We all look forward to James Addis’
crate of beer next week for his yellow.