NEC Harlequins 45 - 36 Bedford Blues

By Worried of Whitton
April 23 2006

There was a distinct end of term atmosphere down at The Stoop this afternoon. The pressure on Quins’ Class of 2006, to win the league and cup double had evaporated in the warm afternoon sun. With prize giving last week, today felt like that odd period just before breaking up for the summer holidays,

when the days were filled with less academic activities, and with the lines of running rugby, today was sports day. A reported crowd of 9,114 surely reflected the number tickets sold for this match, as the gaps in the stands suggested some truancy!

Sherriff is tackled ©Prof

After two very tough matches against Bedford, already this season, which could have gone either way, another battle royal was expected this afternoon, possibly with some scores to settle after the Twickenham match. Whilst there were some “handbags” off the ball, today’s game was much different contest than the other two. At times resembled a rugby sevens exhibition match, with the running and fancy passing skills and a ten try feast, with both teams providing five a piece. Bedford were playing for pride and won the honour of scoring the greatest number of points against Quins at The Stoop this season.

Croall gets his first start ©Prof

Bedford kicked off playing towards their supporters in the South Stand, Quins collected the ball and kicked to touch, for an early test of the line out which they had dominated at Twickenham two weeks ago. Quins won it, and moved the ball out but following a tackle on Sheriff Quins won a penalty, which Jarvis kicked to touch to maintain the pressure on the opposition. I missed what happened next, as a sudden mass swoon by the female supporters sitting next to me developed, as Roy Winters, ex Harlequin and Bedford favourite took his seat close to us in the Lexus Stand.

Ugo sprints down the right wing ©Prof

Three minutes into the match Bedford were penalised in the Scrum and Jarvis gratefully took the opportunity of three easy points in front of the posts. Bedford’s response was quick and just four minutes later Hepher equalled the score with a penalty, and the sea of blue in the South stand erupted with delight. Quins began to up their game and began to control the game with some solid defence and some probing moves, with some slick passing.. On 19 minutes Jarvis collected the ball on the 22 in front of the Lexus stand and saw a lonely Monye cruising up the wing in front of the East Stand, like a basking shark in the warm spring sunshine. A beautifully weighted cross field kick was easily snapped up by Monye who tore through the Bedford defence to put Quins 8-3 ahead. Ugoooooooooooooo! The conversion was not made.

Ugo scores ©RobShew

Monye featured in the next act of the game but not one that we would wish to remember. He put in a superb crunching tackle flattening Bedford fullback Hinkins, but came off worse with what appeared to be a nasty injury. For the fourth time in the last three matches I’ve seen the sickening site off the medics’ trolley was wheeled across the pitch. A very relieved Stoop was pleased to see the injured Monye limp form the field, but he would play no further part.

Ugo is helped off ©Prof

Within minutes of his replacement Mike Brown, running on the pitch, Brown extended Quins lead. Jarvis converted. Quins were now 15-3 ahead, but their defence went to sleep, as Bedford upped their game, and hit back. Scrum half Page made a dynamic cross field run and opened up the Quins defence, who were unable to repel the constant Bedford pressure. On 31 minutes Page was over the line for a try converted by Hepher and Bedford were firmly back in the match.

Mike Brown scores ©Prof

Quins fought back immediately from the restart as Jim Evans headed for the line, turned and snaked around the back of the Bedford defence, running parallel to the try line he linked up with Nick Easter who powered over the line for an easy try under the posts. Another fine conversion by Jarvis saw Quins lead restored at 22-10, on 33 minutes.

Easter scores after Evans is tackled ©Prof

But it was end to end play as once more the Quins defence left the door open for the Bedford backs to penetrate and allow their flanker Harding to redress the balance on 36 minutes out wide. Hepher did not miss the conversion, 22-17, although whilst the referee was discussing the incident that led to Nebbett being sin binned, he did manage to move the kicking tee some five metres further in to make it easier for him. Sheriff also left the field to be replaced by Ward for the scrum.

Easter spots a gap ©Charlie Coldrey

As we've seen before, Quins with a man down, find additional reserves and seem to benefit by being a man down. Just three minutes later Tom Williams streaked across the line after some fine running and fancy passing initiated by Duffy and Greenwood. The conversion was missed, 29-17 but as we've got used to at The Stoop this season, Quins would be going in at half time having already secured their bonus point.

Williams scores ©RobShew

Indeed Quins try count should have been greater at the break, as Keogh and Greenwood combined to cut a path through the Bedford defence. With the ball resembling a hot potato it was passed from one to the other and back again, only for Keogh to be tackled 5 metres short of the line. The ensuing penalty allowed Jarvis to grab another three points on 43 minutes, 32-17. The extended stoppage time for Monye’s injury allowed the return of Nebbett and Sheriff just before the half time whistle blew.

A driving maul ©Prof

Quins kicked off the second half, and continued to pressurise Bedford, to the effect that just three minutes into the half Bedford made a triple substitution, replacing their two props Volland and Graham for Tonga’uiha and Brooks and scrum half Dickson for Malone. However, Quins were able to extend their lead though another penalty kicked by Jarvis, 35-17 eight minutes into the half. Fuga who had been injured in the first half was then replaced by Richards. Play continued at quite a frenetic pace that it was difficult to keep pace.

Vos packs down as the Bedford prop offers no bind ©Charlie Coldrey

Quins continued to dominate the lineout and were causing issues in the scrum too, but with no further score. Bedford decided once more to make a substitution as their talismanic full back Lewis came on after 14 minutes. His addition to the Bedford side appeared to renew their energy and drive and suddenly Quins had leaked another try as Brady went over and Hepher converted, Bedford were fighting back at 35-24.

As the afternoon wore on Quins remained in over all control of the match which they were not going to loose, and collecting another 3 points from a Jarvis penalty took them comfortably 38-24 ahead. With their replacement scrum half, Dickson, being binned for a shoulder charge after 24 minutes Quins, knew that they had won the match, but continued to assert pressure against their depleted opposition. With eight minutes remaining some deft work by Tom Williams saw him create the opportunity for the retiring Will Greenwood score another wonderful try under the posts, which Jarvis converted to extend the lead to 45-24.

Game over! Well not exactly Bedford were not to be out gunned and continued to hunt down their 21^st bonus point from 25 games. Bedford rallied once more and with their sustained pressure showed why they have run Harlequins so close this year. At this stage of the game most other ND 1 sides would have called it a day but not Bedford, they scored two late tries, through Strauss and Rainbow in injury time, which for their effort all afternoon were deserved. As predicted Bedford picked up a bonus point. Both tries were converted by Hepher giving a final score of NEC Harlequins 45- Bedford Blues 36.

It was a pulsating game, and if they repeat this form next year Bedford should be looking for promotion next season

There was mixed reaction the performance after match, as the supporters gathered in the East Stand bar to hear and to sing along to a superb rendition of the “school song”, The Mighty Quinn performed by the man that made it a hit, Mike D’Abo. What a wonderful concert. During the game, there were a number of wasted chances and perhaps some unnecessary “showboating” as concentration was lost. But this was an end of season game which was not going to affect or change the outcome of the season. The management and supporters may not have been too happy with conceding five opposition tries but perhaps the team needed to go out and perform as their release as the season draws to a close. Let us not forget, after picking up the “double” Harlequins have continued to win, they still picked up the targeted bonus point, and have brought their total points scored tally, tantalisingly within range of a target 1,000 points for the season. Bedford are a very, very good side of Premiership quality. The supporters were very well entertained and on the whole, Quins supporters left happy and looking forward to next week and the last day of term, against Plymouth, as well as their graduation to the more familiar surroundings back in the Premiership.

“You’ll not see nothing like the Mighty Quins!”

NEC Harlequins: Tom Williams, Simon Keogh, Will Greenwood, Gavin Duffy, Ugo Monye (Mike Brown, 23, Charlie Amesbury, 68), Adrian Jarvis, Steve So'oialo, Aston Croall (Lorne Ward, 78), Tani Fuga (Jimmy Richard, 49), Ricky Nebbett, Jim Evans, Simon Miall, Andre Vos (c), Luke Sherriff, Nick Easter.

Scorers: Tries: Ugo Monye, Mike Brown, Nick Easter, Tom Williams, Will Greenwood Penalties: Adrian Jarvis 4 Conversions: Adrian Jarvis 4.

Bedford Blues: James Hinkins (Emyr Lewis, 54), Craig Moir, Liam Roberts, Matt Allen (c), Alex Page, Ali Hepher (Tom Luke, 80), Dom Malone (Karl Dickson, 45), Matt Volland (Soane Tonga'uiha, 45), Chris Johnson, James Graham (John Brooks, 45), Jon Phillips, Marc Comb (Arthur Brenton, 80), Sacha Harding, Chris Rainbow, Shaun Brady (Shaun Brady, 61).

Scorers: Tries: Alex Page, Sacha Harding, Shaun Brady, Liam Roberts, Matt Allen Penalty: Ali Hepher: Conversions: Ali Hepher 3, Tom Luke.

Attendance: 9,114.