12 Tries As Cambridge University Are Defeated
By AlanQuin
November 17 2004
It was back to business as usual as the 2nd XV shook off their poor play at Oxford and against Saracens and playing with their customary sharp and skilful handling, combined with fine running, scored 12 tries in an emphatic defeat of Cambridge University to win by 17 points to 80 points.
As a contest, it was virtually over after 14 minutes. That was the time it took the 2nd XV to emulate the first team and score four tries without reply as they delivered a salutary lesson to the students.
The first try came within the first minute as from a fine long touch kick Quins won the line-out and the ball came to the centre where Tosh Masson took a good pass at speed and went straight through the defence to score. Dunne converted.
Almost from the restart Masson was again in the thick of the action as he charged down a clearance which was rapidly picked up by Henry Barratt who crossed for the second try. This time Dunne missed the conversion but with only two minutes off the match elapsed the score was 0 12.
The Blues sought to mount a counter-attack and put considerable pressure on the defence which was ultimately relaxed when they conceded a penalty. The Blues defence, too, resisted further Quins attacks with one thrust stopped just short of their line. But Quins would not be stopped and after 10 minutes play, Jarvis collected a kick out of the Blue half and with a fine long miss pass found Joe Mbu on the left wing and his strong run took him over for the third try again converted by Dunne.
Only three minutes later a good take by Barratt allowed him to put Masson in for another try which with Dunnes conversion brought the score to 0 26 after 13 minutes. It is to their credit, that the Blues tried to resist and to stage a comeback and, eventually, they managed a pushover try by Clements to get their first points on the board.
But Quins scored two more tries before the interval with first Jarvis and then Mbu adding to the score with Andy Dunne adding the conversions. They might have had another had a good crosskick from Dunne found his winger. The students, too, almost crossed the line and only a fine tackle into touch prevented the score.
At half-time the score was 5 38 and the only question was how many more tries would Quins score as Ugo Monye replace Mbu for the second half. Quins almost added to their score in the first minute as a fine break by Dunne and a beautifully delayed pass to Reay almost put the centre through, but he was stopped just short of the line. Another fine attack a minute or two later had the try disallowed when the final pass was adjudged to be forward. But Quins were not to be denied and after four minutes the forwards took a hand in the matter and in the ensuing melee Molitika scored. Dunne again added the points. 5 45.
Now the backs were passing sharply and crisply and spreading the ball wide at every opportunity and an excellent break by Jarvis found the ball come to Monye on the left wing less than 10 metres from the line. Dunne again converted. 5 52. another good run by Monye was stopped just short of the line. He managed to pop the ball up out of the tackle and Cracknell scored and again Dunne converted. 5 59.
Now the substitutions began. Duncan James was replaced and then Simon Maling was taken off. But the tries continued to come as an excellent kick through the defence allowed Andy Reay to pick up and score. Dunne added his ninth conversion, 5 66.
With twelve minutes left of the game, mass substitution of Dunne, Dawson, Molitika, Barratt and Hayter almost unbalance the side and certainly left the scrum rather weaker. However, the scoring continued as a cross kick aimed for Ugo Monye was nicely juggled by the winger over his head and controlled as he crossed for his second try. Jarvis added the points. 5 73.
The Blues finally managed to score again, former Quin Tim McEwan crossing in the left corner and another similar effort by Jenkins made their score a little more respectable. Between these two scores the forwards produced an excellent catch and drive to allow Cracknell to score his second try.
NEC Harlequins XV: 15. Adrian Jarvis, 14. Henry Barratt, 13. Tosh Masson, 12. Andy Reay, 11. Joe Mbu, 10. Andy Dunne, 9. Duncan James, 1. Tom Muggridge, 2. James Hayter,(Capt) 3. Jon Dawson, 4. Karl Rudzki, 5. Simon Maling, 6. Mamma Molitika, 7. Chris Cracknell, 8. Kai Horstmann
Replacements: 16. Cameron Dott, 17. Mark Abel, 18. George Robson, 19. Gavin
Hart, 20. Steven Jay, 21. Charlie Amesbury, 22. Mike Brown, 23. Ugo Monye
Scorers:
Tries: Masson (2) Barratt, Mbu (2) Jarvis, Molitika, Monye (2), Cracknell (2), Reay
Conversions: Dunne (9) Jarvis