Preview: NEC Harlequins v London Welsh
By Worried of Whitton
December 27 2005
Harlequins return to The Stoop, Twickenham, after five weeks away, at the start of a run of four consecutive home matches over the next three weeks.
On Boxing Day, Monday December 26th Harlequins play hosts to London Welsh, kick off at 15.00, in what has to be, geographically, the closest derby match in Rugby Union. Much closer than any of the West country clubs so once again, sorry Bristol.
As the year 2005 closes, Harlequins are sitting clear on top of National Division One having successfully dispatched all three of their closest rivals, and build an eight point lead. London Welsh by comparison have not had the best of seasons so far and sit one place off the foot of the table with only two wins and one draw, their plight would have been worse had it not been for the six bonus points they have garnered in their games showing that a number of their games having finished with less than a seven point margin. This illustrates that London Welsh are not as poor a side as their league standing dictates. Indeed their last game against Cornish Pirates, Welsh went down 17-20 in a game they could and indeed should have won, had they had much more confidence in their play.
London Welsh picked up a losing bonus point going down 17-20 in a very entertaining and close match against the Cornish side. Pirates put in a very uninspiring performance as they probably were still licking their wounds from their previous visit to the Borough. It was a tough start for London Welsh, but they opened the scoring, as Mark Meenan slotted home three points from a penalty kick for the Pirates not rolling away. Three minutes later he doubled the score, as the Pirates were pulling down in the line out.
Yet minutes later, this hard work was lost as Welding ran straight through the bewildered Welsh defensive line to score just right of the posts. The try was converted by Tom Barlow., and this was shortly followed by Pirates adding a penalty kick. Pirates added a second try through their centre James who stepped aside two defenders with ease the, try was converted. However the, Welsh fought back and replied with another penalty kick. A well weighted crossfield kick from Mark Meenan fell into the hands of Tim Holgate, who passed inside to Gareth Swales who in turn scored on the left hand side of the pitch. The try was unconverted. Leaving Welsh just three points behind at a half time
In the second half a strong start from Welsh ensured Pirates were on the back foot from the off and they penetrated deep into the Pirates half. However, this was quickly followed by danger for Welsh as an unfortunate knock-on occurred within the 5m line, but Welsh’s forwards were quick off the mark to the next breakdown to turn the ball over. Pirates regained possession and would have scored via Duncan Roke had it not been for a superb sweeping tackle by winger James Greenwood.
With London Welsh, taking a leaf from the Harlequins manual, kept the Pirates at bay in their own half. Which eventually paid a dividend as Mark Meenan brought the scores level with another penalty kick. The Pirates had two further opportunities to score, but London Welsh maintained their resilience and refused to budge as the attacks were thwarted. Late in the game, the Pirates again took the lead thanks to a penalty kick for a scrum infringement. This was followed by a lucky knock on from Pirates in their own dead ball area, and Welsh had a scrum on the 5m line. Many further attempts at breaking the Pirates defence failed, although the Welsh were awarded a penalty. The decision was taken to kick for the points to cause a draw, however the kick was missed and Welsh had to settle for a bonus point.
Harlequins will be well rested after their tough matches away at Bedford and Plymouth and will be enjoying their return to the Stoop for a home match, against some local opposition, opponents they know quite well. Quite rightly the team selection holds up very well, as Harlequins continue to take nothing for granted, in their quest for promotion, and to finish the year unbeaten with thirteen league wins.
There are just a couple of changes to the team who valiantly pulled off a victory at Plymouth two weeks ago. Tosh Masson will start in the centre, while Ian Vass gets the opportunity to start at scrum half, with Steve So’oialo amongst the replacements. The very strong Quins pack remains unchanged. It is very pleasing to see the return of Mel Deane after that nasty injury suffered in the last home game, albeit he is on the bench, but I m sure he will get a spell on the pitch in the second half.
Other “benchees” Lorne Ward and Kevin Burke will be relishing the though of playing against their old club and we can expect to see them too sometime during the second half.
Supporters will eagerly awaiting the result from Brickfields as Plymouth host Cornish Pirates, in a match which if they loose, and Harlequins win handsomely, could spell the end of the Pirates aspirations this season. Bedford are away at Coventry for their local derby.
So it just remains for me to wish you all a very Happy Christmas as we look forward to another rousing win at the Stoop. See you on Monday afternoon.
Come on you Quins!
NEC Harlequins:
15. Tom Williams,14. George Harder,13. Gavin Duffy,12. Tosh Masson,11. Simon Keogh, 10. Andrew Mehrtens,9. Ian Vass,1. Ceri Jones,2. Tani Fuga,3. Ricky Nebbett,4. Jim Evans, 5. Simon Miall,6. Andre Vos (Capt.)7. Luke Sherriff,8. Nick Easter
Replacements: 16. James Hayter,17. Lorne Ward,18. Kevin Burke,19. Chris Robshaw, 20. Steve So’oialo,21. Adrian Jarvis,22. Mel Deane,
London Welsh: probably
15. Gareth Swales, 14. James Greenwood, 13. James Storey, 12. Duncan Hayward, 11. Tim Holgate, 10. Mark Meenan, 9. Allen Chilten (C), 1. Steve Millard, 2. Chris Ritchie, 3. Colm Hannon, 4. Howard Quigley, 5. Jim Brownrigg, 6. Matt Fitzgerald , 7. Simon Etheredge, 8. Paul Cox
Replacements: Amo Tauialo, Robbie Shaw, Dan Field Adam Bidwell, Andy Fahey, Jon Pettemerides, Richard Griffith
Match Officials:
Principal Boy: Steve Lander
Ugly Sisters: Rowan Kitt, Paul Dickens