Quantcast

The Cunningham Duncombe Series – Part 1


By Bedfordshire Boy
September 30 2015

Weather conditions looked perfect when we set off on our journey to The Stoop, but some things never change as we had to avoid a massive accident on the M25 which luckily was on the opposite carriageway.  Interesting to see Jack Clifford named as captain for this pre-season match as well as encouraging to see the majority of our new signings in the squad, the only absentee being a certain Dr Roberts who I am sure had other things on his mind. 

Both teams started out determined to run the ball whenever they could with first honours going to Quins when James Horwill scored his first try for the club following sustained pressure on the Irish line with Ben Botica adding the extra points from in front of the posts. 7 – 0 to Quins after 7 minutes.

The game continued in an entertaining manner with both sides continuing to run the ball and on 15 minutes Irish were hauled down a metre from the Quins line after a length of the field run. Luke Wallace was sent for a 10 minutes rest for his part in the following defensive effort, penalty to Irish, kick to touch, catch and drive, try to Luke Narraway.  Conversion missed, 7 – 5 to Quins.

I thought the Quins scrum was looking encouraging in the first encounters and following another period of sustained pressure and penalties in the Irish red zone a yellow card was shown to an Irish player on 24 minutes. Ben Botica found himself with the ball and for a second he looked as if he didn`t know what to do with it before jinxing his way for a score under the posts. An easy conversion, 14 – 5 to Quins after 26 minutes.  Quins lineout also looking good with lots of variation with takes by Horwill, Twomey and Easter.

Irish still running the ball at every opportunity although to my mind were playing the missed pass in the backs too often instead of doing the simple thing, with their persistence eventually paying off with a well a well taken try in the corner by Alex Lewington. Conversion missed once again, 14 – 10 to Quins after 36 minutes.  The second yellow card of the day for Irish just before half time for killing the ball led to another easy 3 points for Ben Botica on 39 minutes, half time score, Quins 17 – Irish 10.

The start of the second half saw a new front row for Quins with Lambert, Ward and Jones replacing Evans, Gray and Sinkler respectively. Once again Quins looked lively and we all thought Charlie Walker had scored after a dazzling run only to be brought back for a foot into touch. It didn`t take too long for Walker to get on the score sheet however as he eventually went over in the corner following a pass from Ollie Lindsday-Hague on 47 minutes, conversion missed by Botica, 22 – 10 to Quins.  There then followed multiple changes by both sides with Stanley, Hopper and Easter being replaced by Sloane, Lowe and Luamanu, didn`t catch all of the Irish changes but noted that Gerahty was replaced.  Karl Dickson was replaced by Tito Tebaldi on 54 minutes and 3 minutes later Irish scored another try through Lewington, duly converted, to take the score to Quins 22 – Irish 17. If referee Dean Richards though he was going to get a break from Dicksons advice, the cudgel was soon taken up by Adam Jones offering his thoughts on the art of refereeing the scrum. Tim Swiel came on at fullback and was very lively and almost put Walker clear for another try which was soon followed by a lineout catch and drive by Quins followed by a handbag waving session which petered out without the referees intervention.

Mass substitutions by both sides between 63 and 70 minutes, one of those for Irish being Topsy Ojo, with Treadwell and Chisholm replacing Horwill and Clifford.  As is usual in these situations the whole shape of the game was lost and the game just petered out with no further points being scored.

Overall it was a good game to watch for the most part with lots of big hits from both sides and the score line was just about right on the night. Impressed with Tebaldi when he came on and James Horwill looked good as did his partner in the second row. Kyle Sinckler is still prone to some rash tackling but otherwise all front rowers looked pretty good in the set piece. OLH still dances around and Botica got through the match with only one aimless kick.

All in all a good evenings entertainment, looking forward to part 2.

 

 

 

 

 

View a Printer Friendly version of this Story.

Bookmark or share this story with:

The Cunningham Duncombe Series – Part 1
Discussion started by ComeAllWithin.co.uk , 30/09/2015 23:23
ComeAllWithin.co.uk
30/09/2015 23:23
What do you think? You can have your say by posting below.
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.

DOK.
30/09/2015 23:27
Huge apologies to BB for the time it took to put this story up. Nice to have something Harlequins related to balance all the RWC stuff.

harlequinade
01/10/2015 09:41
Has anyone any idea how to get tickets for part 2?

It ain’t what you don’t know that gets you into trouble. It’s what you know for sure that just ain’t so. “ – Mark Twain

neversleep
01/10/2015 09:48
Try here for tickets -
[tickets.quins.co.uk]

I chose the Print at Home option. Tickets are free to members

@DOK - In the photo, was the ref feeling a little tired and needing of a lie down?

harlequinade
01/10/2015 10:32
Thanks for that. I was looking in the wrong place!!

It ain’t what you don’t know that gets you into trouble. It’s what you know for sure that just ain’t so. “ – Mark Twain

Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.
We record all IP addresses on the Sportnetwork message boards which may be required by the authorities in case of defamatory or abusive comment. We seek to monitor the Message Boards at regular intervals. We do not associate Sportnetwork with any of the comments and do not take responsibility for any statements or opinions expressed on the Message Boards. If you have any cause for concern over any material posted here please let us know as soon as possible by e-mailing abuse@sportnetwork.net