2nd XV Win Before The Deluge

By AlanQuin
October 25 2005

In horrible weather conditions, which deteriorated into a monsoon-like torrential downpour and virtually negated the second half of the match, Harlequins 2nd XV defeated Cambridge University by 31 points to 6.

Light rain was falling persistently as the match started. Almost from the kick-off Quins were penalised for offside and Ufton, a perpetual student and once of Wasps, made no mistake with the kick from 30 metres to put Cambridge into the lead. That advantage did not last long for long. In the fourth minute, a quickly tapped penalty saw a fine miss pass find Kiba Richards at speed on a superb arcing run that brought a try in the right-hand corner. Jarvis missed the conversion. 5 – 3.

But Cambridge struck back as from the restart they were awarded a penalty wide out on the right on the Quins twenty-two metre line. Ufton gratefully took the points to restore the University lead to 5 – 6.

Despite the deteriorating conditions, Quins were trying to play rugby. Penalties were mostly tapped and run despite the adverse conditions for handling the increasingly slippery ball. A cross-kick intended for Amesbury on the wing did not reach its target. Quins increased the pressure with the pack driving forward until after 15 minutes they rumbled over the try-line for Keogh to touch down. Jarvis converted and the score was 12 – 6.

Cambridge tried to counter-attack and a series of attempted breaks on the crash ball through the centre ultimately earned them a penalty on the Quins 10-metre line. Ufton’s attempt to add to his tally failed. Quins, however, continued to play with width and invention. A good rolling maul lost the ball with the try-line almost in sight. Another cross kick intended for Kiba Richards was just too strong and went dead. Then from a line-out the ball was moved rapidly across the field to the left and a splendid miss pass found Tom Williams coming through at speed to score. Jarvis’ kick was again successful and after twenty-five minutes Quins led 19 – 6.

Quins continued to dominate possession and territory with virtually 90% of the game being played in the visitors’ half of the pitch. Then from a line-out on the twenty-two metre line the catch and drive saw the forwards rumble across the try-line for Jimmy Richards to score. Jarvis added the points to make the score 26 – 6. That ended the scoring for the first half. The rain became heavier and the half-time whistle must have come as a considerable relief for the players.

There was very little remarkable about the second half which was scoreless until the last minute. The appalling weather made handling a matter of luck rather than skill and unforced errors abounded on both sides. The resultant stoppages together with the considerable number of substitutions, which were difficult to follow because of positional changes and lack of numbers on some shirts, combined to negate any rugby despite the teams’ best endeavours.

There were some incidents worthy of note. There was a fine catch of the high ball by Tom Williams as he slid along the ground. The defence at lineout and scrum on the Quins five metre line when reduced to a seven man pack following a yellow card for Aston Croall. An excellent break by Robshaw which moved play over 50 metres deep into the University half. Finally a series of pick-up and drives by the forwards reached the try-line and Alex Rogers was the man to touch down. Mike Brown missed the conversions and the final whistle followed immediately with the score 31 – 6 and, inevitably, the rain began to abate.

 

NEC Harlequins XV: 15. Tom Williams, 14. Kiba Richards, 13. Adam Thompson, 12. Adrian Jarvis, 11. Charlie Amesbury, 10. Ian Vass, 9. Simon Keogh, 1. Mike Worsley, 2. Jimmy Richards, 3. Lorne Ward, 4. James Inglis, 5. Kevin Burke, 6. Chris Robshaw, 7. Tom Guest, 8. Tony Diprose
Replacements: 16. James Hayter, 17. Aston Croall, 18. Alex Rogers, 19. George Robson, 20. Luther Marais, 21. Sam Cotterall, 22. Benjamin Reboul
Scorers:
Tries: K. Richards, Keogh, Williams, J. Richards, Rogers
Conversion: Jarvis (3)

Cambridge University XV: 15. Ed Carter , 14. David Akinluyi, 13. Paul Magee, 12. Steffan Thomas, 11. Charlie Desmond, 10. Johnny Ufton, 9. Carl Bradshaw, 1. Rudolph Bosch, 2. Tom Woolsey, 3. Ed Kalman, 4. Scott Annett, 5. John Blaikie, 6. Richard Bartholemew, 7. Dave O'Brien, 8. Mike Harfoot
Scorers:
Penalty: Ufton (2)