Harlequins
Harlequins 9-9 London Irish: Attitude is all……
By Rodders
November 2 2009
It was one of those vaguely gloomy rugby days that suggested, that for Quins, the doom and gloom would continue into Sunday and the rest of the week. Quins are languishing in the bottom half of the table. We were playing an Irish team flying high at number two in the table – full of vim and vigour. Predicting how our team would perform was almost impossible – other than to worry!!
When I selected this game to report on in August, I called it the poisoned chalice because Irish often carry with them the rub of the green. However, I don’t think any one expected them to have done as well as they have done this season, so my feeling was even worse.
Quins on the other hand, have not exactly struggled, but games have not fallen for us and it’s hard to predict or work out what was going to happen next. Our team has not settled from the first game of the season and there has been a little sense of déjà vu, not with an expectation of a real horror story, but a sense of a greater struggle than we were expecting this season. The glory of Stade seems a World Away.
… So what to make of this strange day?
The game was awful. Was this really THE game between the high flying Number 2 in the Table versus the Artistos of the Game? Sadly, yes, it was. The game was really poor. I expected so much more from Irish, and so much less from Quins.
However, the spectacle was ultimately fascinating. On the day we found an Irish team heavy on the muscle and beef, but very low on finesse and creativity. Sadly, for them the muscle and beef seemed to be in the wrong positions and their attempts at finesse ended up in sometimes-laughable errors.
Also sadly for them, perhaps they fell into the trap of underestimating a number of young Quins - perhaps those players underestimated themselves. Maybe it was a situation where the unknown caught them out. Maybe they over estimated themselves.
However, there were some critical performances for Quins. John Andress came of age in a Quins shirt. Mark Lambert continued to show his worth and Chris Brooker did not let Tani’s position down. Undoubtedly, having James and George back make a huge difference to the front row. The fine leadership of Robshaw, as player and Captain, dominated the Back Row.
In the backs, Steve So’oialo played a fine, courageous game. To come back from such a devastating operation and to be able to play with such confidence and commitment takes some doing. I admire him.
Rory Clegg – he is 19 – he saved our bacon – he is 19, he pulled it out of the bag..…And he is still only 19!! There is little doubt that young Rory has a very exciting future – I look forward to sharing it at Quins. Rory and Danny could be devastating.
We played a defensive game, but Nils and Josh look as though they are fitting in well and have big times ahead – and young Karl is definitely one to watch – some one else to look forward to. It was also exciting seeing Stretts taking real responsibility on the field, and Mike Brown back to his best.
I have to admit the Quins performance was not what I was expecting.
I didn’t expect the front row to hold their own let alone go forward.
I didn’t expect the halves to cope with the pressure they were obviously going to come under.
I didn’t expect the defence to be as strong as it was.
… But what of Irish?
The only word that springs to mind is, disappointing. I was expecting to be rolled over, possibly quite badly. But they made just too many unforced errors and were not the intelligence we expected. Lamb had a moment or two, but generally showing his lack of consistency. Hewat remains a class act but didn’t get much support. Traditional Irish strengths were not apparent – the Locks and Stephan Armitage didn’t dominate – all credit to Robshaw and co.
So what is this report about?
- Well it obviously isn’t about the quality of the game (there is nothing to write about) but it is all about our young players standing up to the plate and performing.
- I found it hugely heartening that despite every thing, in the past few months, we saw not just individual players emerging, but a new team.
- For Quins the draw was a huge victory.
- I never thought I would ever say that a 9 – 9 draws was a good result but it was.
- Neither team deserved a win.
- However, the result was an expression of great Attitude and Heart from all Quins players, as men and as a team.
- With the right attitude, we can work wonders.
- …. This squad has the right attitude.
PS
A personal word of appreciation to Mike Catt – The 11-year-old Jamie and I, sit in front of the opposition coaches. Mike and Toby Booth were getting a bit emotional and colourful – I had reason to remonstrate – politely, of course.
They stopped and after the game Mike Catt made a point to shake hands and apologise to young Jamie and me – It had a huge impact on young Jamie, that even role models like Catty could transgress but recognise the error, and were big enough to say so and apologise!
It also highlights the impact on the young, of the actions of adults and role models.
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Can't be many clubs that can boast that.
On another point, did Josh D fall off a number of tackles; seemed so from the Etihad.
I have to say even my 7 year old loved the game, tries or no tries. Just shows what a close, fast-moving game with a good atmosphere can do to attact supporters, even if it ends three penalties apiece.
I was pleased by the absence of thumping drums (learn to play the things!!!), but thought that the LI trumpeter was top notch.
I'm just glad they didn't go down the abusive line that a proportion of the Worcester fans did.
Heres rhe review in Verse from the Not Nots board!
Its brilliant
The Craic
The game's afoot;
Follow your spirit: and upon this charge,
Cry — God for Harry! England and Saint George
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:11:02:16:22:05 by Blue Dragoon.
And hats off to Catty and Booth - I've met Catty before and he was a real gent.
No surprise about Catty and Booth - both passionate (hence the colourful language) but real Gents (recognising and apologising).
Simon (the trumpeter) seems to be contender for man of the match.
I'm not toally convinced by Lamb yet and we clearly missed Dodge at 9 (and you guys missed Care in the same position)
I was disappointed that such a large crowd didn't get a cracking game as both sides over the last 12 to 18 months have played some good stuff.
Often these tight games end up going to one side or another and turning on a single error. Although 4 points would have been nice, a draw was the fair result.
Our depth is very young and although you also had a lot of gaps your replacements were more of a proven entity and more mature.
However, getting the second row back to normal helped stabalise the front row and gave a bit more experience.
Robshaw was an outstanding captain and Quins as a whole illustrated their strength as a squad - exciting and reassuring from our point of view
on on quins
