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Warriors vs Harlequins: Another Dire Performance


By Bedfordshire Boy
May 3 2018

This was always going to be a difficult game to navigate with it being Warriors last home game of the season with them needing a couple of points to be absolutely sure of not being relegated. If that wasn`t enough it was the 200th appearance for long serving fullback Chris Pennell and the last game ever for their captain Donncha O`Callaghan so everyone was pretty fired up. Not for the first time this season it was performance and commitment that the travelling supporters were looking for.

Sadly, it was not to be as this game followed the pattern of the previous couple where Quins were pretty much in the game for about 15 minutes which was followed by a total collapse.  It was difficult to imagine things getting any worse after the last few outings but somehow this Quins side managed it.

So what of the game itself, Warriors 44 Quins 13, Warriors 7 trys Quins 1 try, Warriors turned up and played while Quins just turned up. Not a lot more to be said really, some players obviously trying, some not. Just one example, Charlie Walker was pretty lively all afternoon looking for chances, I had to check the team sheet to know that Jamie Roberts was even on the pitch. Lots of clever little looping moves to vary the attack but none of this is any good until you have the basics in place; you have to be able to defend and support your own players when you do break the oppositions line. Some of the Quins “off-loading” was ridiculous (there is a time and place) and sometimes it seemed that certain players just did not want the ball and were just throwing it anywhere. Full marks to Warriors who just got on with playing what was in front of them and taking full advantage of a lack lustre Quins side.

The scrums were relatively even throughout the match but once again the line out was dire, especially at critical times. I think there were four occasions when Quins had a line out five metres from the Warriors line and the ball was lost on each occasion. Mind you, the way that the Quins catch and drive functions these days Warriors could easily have let Quins win the ball without too much worry. I did wonder who the referee was at times with O`Callaghan having a lot to say at almost every stoppage in play, perhaps the Quins captain should have been a bit more forthcoming. Seriously though, in the circumstances, Maxwell-Keys did well not to cave in to the continuous Warriors protestations and the pressure from the home crowd.

I have deliberately kept well clear of any video highlights or match reports but I am sure that there are the usual messages out there saying that we must do better and we will have a long hard look at ourselves on Monday. Need to cut out the silly penalties, the schoolboy antics (Marler) and get a grip on discipline (Sinckler). It really is not too much for the travelling supporters to ask to see their side at least play as a team with some cohesion rather than a mixture of some individuals who are putting in an effort and those that appear not to be bothered. This is the first time in supporting Quins for over twenty years that I cannot wait for the season to end.

In summary, a good performance by Warriors, Quins were no match in any department and I shudder to think what the scoreline will be next week against Exeter Chiefs; I would not be surprised to see a points deficit in the region of seventy points. Despite this gloomy prediction I will be there just hoping that this squad can put in a performance that we all know they are capable of.

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Warriors vs Harlequins: Another Dire Performance
Discussion started by ComeAllWithin.co.uk , 03/05/2018 23:24
ComeAllWithin.co.uk
03/05/2018 23:24
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2018:05:08:13:36:18 by DOK.

NicoWilson
04/05/2018 06:09
Thanks

Scaramouche
04/05/2018 10:42
Thanks. I'm having a Marvin moment.sad smiley

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