Onward to - Franklins Gardens
Murphy
By ChrisC
May 19 2003
Like, it would appear the majority, I watched from the comfort of myliving room, this latest episode in the seemingly never-ending saga of Zurich this, Zurich that and Zurich the other unfold at a sparsely populated Welford Road.
By Chris Chaplin
Like, it would appear the majority, I watched from the comfort of myliving room, this latest episode in the seemingly never-ending saga of Zurich this, Zurich that and Zurich the other unfold at a sparsely populated Welford Road.
No matter how much the increasingly ridiculous and sycophantic TV commentators such as Barnes and Guscott try to talk up this unwanted "competition" the fact remains that it is the subject of enormous apathy amongst the paying public with fewer than 6000 watching the Tigers game and only 1400 turning out at a rain swept Headingly as they showed their resentment as the endless attempts at plundering their pockets continue with more and more concoctions being devised every year toward that end. It therefore does considerable credit to the players in the Tigers and Harlequins teams that they showed such fire and commitment to the cause whereas the Leeds/Sarries game was, frankly, too painful to watch with Leeds obviously viewing the whole tiresome thing as an insurance policy against the unlikely eventuality of Wasps prevailing over Bath in the Parker Pen Final.
Tigers started this latest assault on their tired and battered bodies in a very bright and sparky fashion and in the opening exchanges Quins struggled to contain the dominant Tiger’s pack, which saw Backy restored and looking refreshed and the sadly under utilised Narbonne bound Peter Short producing a first rate fiery performance for his Welford Road swansong. I was also again impressed with Louis Deacon who, if there were an award for most improved Tiger this season, would surely win it by a country mile.
The pressure on the Quins pack was unrelenting and had it not been for the again badly out of sorts Tim Stimpson missing three simple (for him)penalties Tigers would have established a useful lead at the half time point. As it was they went into the break with the scores tied thanks to a superb centre’s try from Glen Gelderbloom who, having taken a nicely weighted pass from McMullen, showed what can happen when a true centre is in the right place at the right time.
How Glenn has not secured more starts during Ollie Smith’s enforced prolonged absence is a total mystery especially as it permits Leon Lloyd to take up his correct position on the wing where he looks so much happier and accomplished and reminded us yesterday of what a dangerous player he can be when out wide and is as complementary to the silky skills of Geordan as is Fred.
Harry Ellis also looked sharp and combative and I was left to wonder what on earth he was doing marooned out on the wing against Gloucester the previous week. His service was good and precise and this gave McMullen the opportunity to get his centres moving which he did, unfortunately while his work with the ball in hand was pretty good the same could not be said of his kicking, which was largely either aimless or ill executed and indeed there was again far too much pointless and poor kicking overall which led to the Quins only try from winger and sevens expert Ugo Monye, who collected one such kick and took off like a scalded cat around the advancing Johnno before cutting back through the centre of the Tigers defence as some cynical off the ball obstruction by Quins scrum-half Powell prevented Back from intercepting the flying Monye and lo the gap was there the flying winger making mistake in finishing off his break.
During the first half Tigers had the majority of the possession won by the seemingly indefatigable pack, boosted by the return of Dorian West as well as Neil Back, which coupled with the territorial advantage they had also secured left me wondering whether we were about to see a repeat of that which we have witnessed so often this season of having most of the possession and territory but too few points to show for it.
With Stimmo’s unhappy time with the kicking tee persisting in response to another of the many penalties conceded by the under pressure Quins it was decided to go down to the corner of the Crumbie and A&L for a classic Tigers move. I settled in anticipation as Tim lined up his kick only to feel my shoulders slump as he kicked the ball dead! My viewing companions voiced the question which we’ve all been asking lately “what’s wrong with Tim?”
As if in answer Tim then converted Glenn’s try and potted his second penalty - you know I half expected him to poke his tongue out at the camera, but he’s far too nice a chap to do such a thing!
Having got his eye and foot in he then slotted home another before the ever tenacious Backy scored his try. Some nice hands through the backs, patient recycling and a little mazy run saw Backy held up on the Quins line. Where many a player would have waited for the scrum that’s not Backy’s style and he continued working to secure the touch down and it is to referee Maybank’s credit that he spotted that the move had not ended and permitted its conclusion. The newly confident Tim stepped up to convert Neil’s 107th try for the club only to find that the Gremlins had returned with a bad miss the result.
Now though the ABC club were reunited for the last time at Welford Road as Garforth trundled on for his very last appearance there and the Tigers scrum gathered even more dominance with Quins in some disarray having already lost the considerable influence of Springbok Andre Vos earlier on a substitution at lock was shortly followed by an injury in that very same department and some patch up work was needed to keep the Quins pack together with hooker Hayter going to flanker with the released player taking up station at lock.
Burke by now had sandwiched a woodwork rattling penalty miss with two successful attempts one of which received benign help from the self same upright that had earlier denied him.
21-13 and two scores required by Quins to regain their position of a three point aggregate advantage. Then a bit of magic! Backy retired from the fray to be replaced by that new back row tyro Will Skinner. Some good pressure and patience saw Fred break free as he had done all afternoon having been absolutely stunning (in every sense of the word) in defence but largely in attack he had taken the ball into contact and the moves had died, this time however he passed the ball out of said contact having found Skinner hard on his shoulder and the youngster made no mistake in grabbing his first senior try.
That was pretty much it. Tigers deserved their win with Quins never really looking like scoring and with their pack in trouble use of the reliable Burke option was limited.
MOTM? Fred. Absolutely immense in his defence and while as aggressive in attack as ever this time he was more aware of his support and unloaded the ball on several occasions enabling the very large holes that he punched to be put to good use.
So now to Franklins Gardens and Sarries. That though is a story for another day, the good news is that though Tigers prevailed the bad news is that you get another ChrisC preview. But as I say that’s for another day.
