Emphatic Win Takes A League Trophy

By AlanQuin
April 29 2004

With a score of 44 points to 13 (on aggregate 72 – 28) Harlequins 2nd XV defeated Northampton Wanderers at Franklin's Gardens in the second leg of the final play-off and became the first Zurich A League champions.

Northampton, with a deficit of 13 points from the first leg, was clearly determined claw that back as soon as possible.  They started at pace and were immediately exerting considerable pressure on a somewhat nervous Quins team. Only a fine defensive pick-up by Jewell and a weaving run out of defence relieved the position. 

Once again Northampton attacked and this time a fine cross-field kick intended for their right wing ran into touch in the corner to leave Quins having to hold their own throw on their own try line against the heavier Wanderers pack.  A poor throw from Dott was missed by Horstmann at the back of the line-out and the ensuing maul led to a penalty against Quins and a warning, when a yellow card had seemed likely.  Shane Drahm kicked the penalty to give Wanderers the first points of the evening after four minutes.

The Northampton pack was heavier and causing Quins trouble in the rucks and mauls and exerting a dominance which was depriving Quins of possession and keeping them mostly inside their own half.  Eventually a minor punch up between the packs produced a penalty to Quins on the Northampton 10 metre line which Jarvis kicked to level the score at 3 – 3 (18 – 31) after eight minutes.

Wanderers continued to press and from the restart gained a line-out on the halfway line.   A good rolling maul allowed them to break out and take the ball out wide on the right where a two man overlap saw Oriol Ripol speed through the gap for the first try of the match. Drahm converted. 10 – 3  (25 – 31) after eleven minutes.  The advantage was being eroded rapidly.

Then a foolish lineout offence by Jon Philips, pulling down Bill Davison in mid air brought a yellow card. Where, previously the lack of possession due to the dominance of the Wanderers pack had given the Wanderers attacking platform and position, now the loss of the big lock forward allowed Quins some degree of parity.  However a 50 metre penalty to Wanderers kicked by Drahm.  13 – 3 (28 – 31) and the first leg advantage was gone at the end of the first quarter. Wanderers never scored again.

The first scrum of the match, surprisingly after 24 minutes, saw Quins gain possession with an attacking platform and a series of determined drives saw them advance almost to the try line.  The score was bound to come and it was Bemand that darted through to score between the posts.  Jarvis added the conversion. 13 – 10 (28 – 38)

Only a minute or so later, as Wanderers came back on the attack, a fine interception by Matt Moore set him off on what seemed an inevitable scoring rum until he was just brought down only fifteen metres short of the line.  Then an easy penalty kick from just outside the 22 meter area was missed by Jarvis.  Wanderers began to come back into the match, now restored to full strength as the first half-hour ticked away.

Then quite suddenly a break started by Reay, whose pass found Josh Taumololo in space and although tackled his offload found Luke Sherriff whose curving run took him over for the try.  Jarvis added the conversion and the lead was restored to 13 – 17 (31 – 45).  That was followed only two minutes later by another fine try as the backs suddenly found their passing and a fine break saw Chris Bell cros for another try.  Again Jarvis added the points. 13 – 24 (28 – 52).

Northampton tried valiantly to come back to climb this almost impossible   mountain of a 24 point aggregate lead.  A penalty was kicked deep into the corner for an attacking line-out on the Quins 5 metre line.  They attempted to drive from the line-out but the Quins defence held firm until their resistance finally brought them a scrum in front of the posts.  The ball was cleared but not far enough and another penalty was given to Wanderers on half way.  This time, Drahm’s kick went straight and over the dead ball line and a Quins’ scrum back where the kick was taken. Quins took their 24 point aggregate lead in at half-time.

The second half started with Quins showing the clear intention of putting the issue beyond doubt.  There seemed little chance that Northampton would claw back the points to win.   From the restart a scrum to Northampton saw a great steal on the floor by Luke Sherriff.  The ball came out to Jarvis and then to Horstmann and almost to the Wanderers’ line.  Eventually, it was Chris Bell who crossed for his second try and again Jarvis kicked the extra points. 13 – 31 (28 – 59)

Northampton tried and a run down the left wing followed by a kick through was thwarted when the winger ran into a Quins defender on his case to touch the ball down. But the resulting line-out was well defended.  From another run, this time on the right wing, a fine tackle by Mike Brown, replacing Taumololo, saved a certain try as did some stern defence on their own line under the posts shortly after.

But as the game entered the last quarter, Northampton effectively surrendered.  Drahm was withdrawn and three further replacements weakened their pack.  At the same time Ceri Jones came on to replace Tom Muggridge.  Suddenly Quins’ pack were driving and a rolling maul went 25 metres deep into Wanderers’ territory where it was pulled down illegally.   A line-out in the corner was stoutly defended and eventually the pressure was cleared.

More than 20 minutes had elapsed since the last score. Then a penalty was kicked by Jarvis from 30 metres.  The replacements came ever faster and the whole bench were soon on the field.  With ten minutes to go the Northampton fans began to leave in droves.  Another penalty was kicked by Jarvis just to tick over the scoreboard. 13 – 37 (28 – 65). From a melee on the point of time, Evans was shown a yellow card.

There was still time for one last flourish. A drop out taken by Bell was kicked high and deep.  Rob Jewell, running with great pace and determination took a lucky bounce from the ball and with Northampton only able to look, he on crossed for a final try.  To add salt in the wound Jarvis’ kick from the touchline hit the further post and bounce in to add the points as the final whistle brought the first silverware of the season.  The final score was 13 – 44. On aggregate 28 – 72.  A massive,  well deserved victory which left a smile on the face of Mark Evans who was quietly and  justly proud of his young team.

The substantial and vocal Quins support, still reeling from the experience of Galway then had the pleasure of seeing Luke Sherriff, easily the man of the match, receive the trophy.

NEC Harlequins: 15 Josh Taumalolo; 14 Rob Jewell; 13 Chris Bell; 12 Andy Reay; 11 Matt Moore; 10 Adrian Jarvis; 9 Scott Bemand; 1 Tom Muggridge; 2 Cameron Dott; 3 Laurent Gomez; 4 Bill Davison; 5 Jim Evans; 6 Chris Cracknell; 7 Luke Sheriff (c); 8 Kai Horstmann
Substitutes: 16 Marlow Warrington-Matti; 17 Mark Lambert; 18 Ceri Jones; 19 Tom Guest; 20 Duncan James; 21 Henry Barratt; 22 Mike Brown
Scorers:
Tries: Scott Bemand, Luke Sherriff, Chris Bell (2), Rob Jewell
Kicks: Adrian Jarvis (3 pen, 5 con)

Northampton Wanderers: 15 Oriol Ripol; 14 Paul Diggin; 13 Andy Vilk; 12 Shane Drham; 11 James Brooks; 10 Ben Russell; 9 Johnny Howard (cc); 1 Brett Sturgess; 2 Matt Miles; 3 Tevita Taumoepeau; 4 Ed O’Donoghue; 5 Jon Phillips; 6 Brett McNamee (cc); 7 Kort Schubert; 8 Mark Soden
Scorers:
Tries: Oriol Ripol
Kicks: Shane Drahm (2 pen, 1 con)