Local Derby Gives Quins Another 5 Points

After last weeks impressive 62-7 win against Haringey Rhinos, Harlequin Amateurs made the short journey to Isleworth to face a side that, although apparently struggling in the league, always seem to up their game for this fixture.

As the rain clouds cleared just in time for kick off, the game got under way with Quins playing up the hill in the first half. The early exchanges were fairly even, with Quins arguably having the slight upper hand, and after a period of sustained pressure found themselves camped in the Old I’s “22”. With a penalty awarded on the 5 metre line, the Old I’s fly half refused to release the ball to allow a quick tap, and Quins were awarded a penalty try. With the conversion no longer necessary, it was 0-7 to Harlequins.

At this point Old I’s began to ramp up the pressure and were themselves camped in the Quins half. With wave after wave of attack from the big Old I’s forwards, Quins began to feel the pressure and after a number of penalties conceded, Number 8 Sean Gorman was sent to the bin for a deliberate knock on in the “22”. With the man advantage Old I’s continued to press and scored a well worked try on 25’ to even the scores at 7-7. The next 15 minutes were disrupted by a few rounds of “sin bin tennis” as the Old I’s flanker was sent to the bin on 32’, almost immediately followed by Harry Stark on 35’, followed again by the Old I’s fly half on 39’. As the half time whistle approached, Quins were able to capitalise on the player reshuffles with tries from James Addis and Adam Wallace, which was converted, to bring the half time score to 7-19.

The message at half time was to go out and win the second half, with Quins looking to use their superior fitness and the hill advantage.

However, the second half didn’t start as Quins had hoped. Old I’s flew out of the blocks and scored another well worked try on 45’. With the conversion scored, the advantage was reduced to 5 points, 14-19. At this point Quins stepped up a gear and ran in three tries, through second tries for both Adam Wallace on 48’, and James Addis on 52’, followed by Alec Schmail on 54’. With a 24 point advantage Quins really tried to turn the screw but were met with a resolute defence, until Alec Smail showed great finishing to complete his brace for the afternoon. The conversion was missed. 12-41 to Quins with 10 minutes to go.

Credit must go to Old I’s who, despite the clock ticking down, played right to the final whistle. Having been awarded a penalty just outside the Quins “22”, the home side opted to run the ball and immediately took advantage of a miss match out wide to run in the final score of the game.

Final score - 19-41.

James Addis picked up the Man of the Match for a great display, scoring 2 tries and making a huge number of tackles. Dick of the Day went to Sean Gorman after the referee gave him the option of giving up the captains arm band or being sent off. (Not sure that would stand up to much scrutiny).

This was a great team performance, but more importantly, a great club performance. Proof, if ever needed, that hard work at training pays off. With no fixture next week (11th Nov), we now work towards the 2nd team fixture on 18th against Chobham, and the return to league action for the 1s against Old Millhillians on 25th.