Sat 27 Apr 2024
Harlequin Amateurs 59 Shire Hall 14
For 24 hours, this cup game was going to be played at The Stoop, home of Harlequins RFC. Availability suddenly became incredible with the thought of playing the game at a professional club! Many former players took to Facebook to offer their availability! Unfortunately, this carrot was pulled when car parking issues at The Stoop came to light so the game was therefore scheduled at nearby Staines RFC. Shire fielded a reasonable side despite missing a few regulars. Tom Gough was available to finally play in his 50th Club game after moving away from Reading but it was disappointing that talisman Matt Margot had to pull out due to illness. From the early exchanges it became apparent that the Quins backs had some serious wheels and if it wasn’t for some last gasp tackles from Tom Overend and Ryan Darby in particuler, Quins could have scored in the first minute. As it was, Quins recorded their first try after only 5 minutes when their centre burst through a gap to score which was followed 5 minutes later by another. Both tries were converted, and Shire knew they were in for a tough afternoon. However, a good driving maul by Shire saw Neil Evans apparently touch down. With no TMO, however, the referee deemed the ball was held up! On the sidelines most spectators agreed that it should have been awarded. This seemed to spur Shire on, and they put together many pleasing passages of play but without reward. A series of penalties conceded by Quins saw their winger leave for 10 minutes to sit on the naughty step but Shire were unable to capitalise on this numerical advantage. What was very evident was the quality of Shire’s tackling – apparently, they don’t focus on this in training! Jamie Cockerill was outstanding in this area and the sight of the raging bull that is Will Jellicoe, putting opponents on their backsides, is a joy to watch. Two further tries from Quins before half time basically put the game to bed but the score was kept down by Shire’s resolute defence.
Half Time Score: Harlequin Amateurs 28 Shire Hall 0
Shire were unable to make any substitutions at half time as they only had the bare 15 but they stuck at it despite conceding two more early tries. It had been many years since Shire failed to record any score in a game and this was not going be the case today when Ryan Darby danced his way past defenders to touch down for his second try for the club. Rhys Stewart, armed with a new pink kicking tee, added the extra two points. Quins kept on putting together good moves and recorded their 7th try on the hour but Shire were not done yet. A slick passing movement involving Sam Watkins, Euan Mclaren and Jamie Cockerill resulted in Gwyn Robins being in the right place as usual to cross wide on the left. Redemption for Rhys Stewart this week as he landed the difficult kick (his 50th conversion of the season) – pity he didn’t have those boots on last week! As the game drew to an end, it was amusing to see Arun Luis and Euan Mclaren trying to get out of a hole with the Quins players trapping them!! With Shire tiring, Quins added two more tries to give them a convincing win.
So, the season finally ends in defeat but the news that we had been promoted to a higher league next season was a prize the boys had strived for all season. This was captain’s Ollie Homan-Green’s 99th game for the club which means he will join the 100 club in the first game of next season. Harlequin Amateurs were well drilled and we wish them good luck in their Semi-Final match.
Final Score: Harlequin Amateurs 59 Shire Hall 14
Tries: Ryan Darby, Gwyn Robins
Conversions: Rhys Stewart (2)
MOTM: Jamie Cockerill – a near perfect tackling display
DOTD: Ollie Homan-Green – took one for the team as there was no obvious candidate!
