Player of the Month Dec

Harlequins were unable to capitalise on their early advantage in both of the premiership games over the Christmas period. This resulted in a draw at Sale and an exceedingly narrow defeat down at Gloucester, despite being in control for most of the match. Such is the progress Quins have made this year it can be argued that these Premiership results should be viewed as five points lost rather than three points won. Ironically last Christmas, three points won away from home would have been hailed as a significant achievement!

There was no CAW Man of the Match poll for the match up at Sale therefore writer privilege enables me to nominate Ceri Jones and Jim Evans, based on what I gleaned from that night’s web cast and the match reports that I have read.

One very exciting aspect of the two Parker pen matches was the inclusion of many of the Second XV players in the starting line up, and it was a good opportunity for them to show what they could achieve. The role of the second XV is crucially important these days, as injuries are an occupational hazard and strength in depth is required to provide cover. A good second team playing well together to a high standard is essential to having a strong first XV. Although it was very much a one sided match, the Second XV very much as a team and demolished Saracens 92-10 just before Christmas, as they continued their winning run. If you’ve not been down to the Stoop to watch the Seconds in action I can strongly recommend it., and this is a timely reminder for the two up coming home games in January, 19th v Wasps and 26th v London Irish. The bar is open and entrance is FREE!, but check the board for the kick off time.

.Jim Evans has played stalwart roles in the Premiership matches against Sale and Gloucester. He has certainly grown in stature this season, if any one can increase their 6’7” frame any further, He has become a regular first team member following the injury to Simon Miall in September.. The quotes from the postings on the board suggest Evans should at least have shared the CAW Man of the Match against Sale “apparently Jim Evans has run in a try at the speed of light” qualified by the match report from LabRat stating the Evans had been played back onside following Greenwood’s a kick up field which had hit a Sale player, “he gathered himself and the ball, dodged the unprepared defenders and legged it for the line”. Additionally, Will W reported “Evans’ try was pretty neat as well. He simply galloped around a static defence. I suspect that they didn’t know he could peg it like that.” Evans however was one of the two players sent off for fighting down at Kingsholm we will know the outcome of the disciplinary hearing by the time this report is published, however this indiscretion, should not preclude his nomination in the December poll.

Will Greenwood returned to the Zurich Premiership down at Kingsholm. Although he did not play in either of the Parker Pen matches he did put in an appearance to parade the William Webb Ellis trophy at the Stoop. The Gloucester match had him ahead for a long time in the CAW man of the match poll. He put in a very spirited performance and was on form throughout the match and his return to the fold was very welcome, as his sheer presence exudes confidence to the back line. It should be remembered that Greenwood, like Leonard, is still getting to know many of squad since his return from World Cup glory.

Kai Horstmann made his first team debut in Valladolid for the match against Centransa UEMC and he picked up the CAW man on the Match for both games against the Spanish club. With thanks in part to his PR guru :-)  Horstmann received 54% of the vote in the home match and 39% of the vote away from home. As well as scoring a first half try, Horstmann was involved in a lot of the action and his name dominated the away game match report. At the return match at the Stoop we were all able to witness another fine performance.

Hortsmann is a regular member of the back row in the Second XV and his performances against Centransa have him, like many others youngsters in the reserves, knocking on the first team’s door. As exemplified by Reay, Bell and Monye before him, such is the pool of up and coming talent.

Ceri Jones is our latest “try scoring machine” with four tries in just three games, during December. Ceri is now chasing Monye’s position as Quins top try scorer, one wonders whether Jason has been coaching Ceri about life on the wing!

There is obviously a lot of fierce competition for the Quins front row, with Leonard, Worsley, Dawson and Gomez to select from and this has certainly enabled Jones to concentrate on improving his performance. The role of prop has changed in the professional era. “Gone are the days of just putting your head down and giving it a bit of a shove every now and again, and lifting a giant six foot in the air. You need ball skills as well. You’ve got to be able to do everything these days in the front row. Scrummaging and lifting in the lineout, ball carrying and defence are just two aspects of what is now required …… you have to concentrate on everything.” (Player Focus: Quins v Centransa Match Programme)

Jones was quoted in the match programme “I still have a burning desire to put on the red shirt of Wales, and hope that I can catch the eye of the Welsh coaching team. The ambition and desire are still very much there”. If he carries on playing as he has in recent weeks then I m sure he will be picked for international honours, which would give Mr Evans a selection headache!

There has also been praise on the CAW board from a Sale supporter “your loose head prop looks a very useful addition to your squad, very proficient and resilient”.

Simon Keogh was CAW man of the match against Gloucester. During December Keogh has begun to ply his wares at the Scrum Half position and the early indications are promising, particularly with the imminent return of Monye and Harder to the wings. Keogh seems to be getting the nod over Ben Willis The debate as to who is the better Scrum half is likely to rumble on for some time, but it illustrates the depth of talent across the squad that Mark Evans has to draw upon. Kev T reported after the Centransa match that Mark Evans as saying that Keogh had started slowly against but improved as the match went on. “Simon came to Quins as a scrum half who could also play on the wing, but that he has now proved he is a Premier League Winger.” But he would want to see more of Keogh at scrum half to make up his mind upon his ability at that position.

At Sale Keogh, once again took to the field as scrum half, whether this was because Willis had been called up for the NZ Barbarians is unknown. In that match Keogh scored a brilliant try right under the posts after picking up an offload from his fellow countryman, Dunne who had stormed 40 meters down the pitch weaving to prevent himself being tackled. After the match Keogh s try was celebrated by a supporter from Sale; “Keogh’s try had the vast majority of Sale fans applauding – very Sale-esque in its execution”. He was also very unlucky not to have scored a second try but was bundled into touch, close to the try line.

Nominations, therefore, in Alphabetical order for CAW Player of the Month for December 2003 are.

• Jim Evans
• Will Greenwood
• Kai Horstmann
• Ceri Jones
• Simon Keogh

So as 2003 closes and we look forward to what 2004 brings, especially with almost a fully fit squad of players.

Best wishes for a Happy and Prosperous New Year.