It's Grim Up North
By Harley Quin
April 27 2005
This was a big game. Even for a club with the storied history of NEC Harlequins, this was a big game. Just to make things even more interesting, it was at least as important to their opponents, the Leeds Tykes – two points below them and at the bottom of the league table.
April 27 2005
This was a big game. Even for a club with the storied history of NEC Harlequins, this was a big game. Just to make things even more interesting, it was at least as important to their opponents, the Leeds Tykes – two points below them and at the bottom of the league table.
Both teams have very difficult final games on Saturday so, as the two teams made their way onto the field, they stood on opposite sides of an abyss.
Quins fans, depleted in number by the midweek scheduling - but complete with air horn (tut, tut Ricky!), were determined to be heard. The tension in the stadium, with an announced crowd of 8,161, was palpable.
The game followed a pattern all too familiar to Quins fans this season. Heroic defence, that eventually has just one tackle too many to make. Only this time it was two tackles and the lack of even a bonus point puts Saturday in total perspective. Win or go down.
Throughout the game, Leeds had a massive territorial advantage. For the first quarter it counted for nothing. Their only chance of points, a penalty, was missed by Ross - the star of their Powergen triumph. In fact it took almost half an hour before the scoreboard was called into action, courtesy of a 30 yard penalty by Jeremy Staunton. Amazingly, Quins were ahead.
However, Leeds knew they were on top and passed up the chance to draw level a minute later, going for a lineout rather than three points. Although they were repelled, it was not for long. Following a ruck, deep in Quins territory, the ball went wide right for Andre Snyman to barrel over. Ross added the extras, giving Leeds a four point lead at the break.
In the highlight of the evening for the travelling faithful, half time saw the crowd treated to the high ball prowess of a man dressed in chef’s trousers. He beat off all-comers to win the prize of a gallon of beer. Diamond Geezer. Nice one Prof!
The second half could hardly have started better for Quins. From the first lineout near halfway, the ball came out to Ross who carelessly threw the ball to his centre, but it never got there. Staunton took the ball, at speed, and went under the posts unopposed. His conversion gave Quins a three point lead.
Predictably, Leeds attacked with fervour. Ross missed another penalty attempt and Albanese threw the ball into touch – in a miss move with his winger. At this stage you knew that the next score was going to be decisive and so it proved.
With Quins in a rare foray into enemy territory, turnover ball allowed Leeds to attack from their own twenty two. A three quarter move ended with Man of the Match Phil Christophers diving over for the go ahead try with fifteen minutes remaining. It was the turning point of the game.
Five minutes later a Leeds scrum inside the Harlequin twenty two saw Dickens make a half break that, with the help of some non-existent tackling, set up Snyman for the clinching score that denied Quins even a bonus point.
There can be no denying that Tykes were the better team. When asked if Leeds deserved to win, even ME was forced to answer “Yeah”, without hesitation.
The question for all Quins fans is: “Where do we go from here?” Physically, the answer is the Stoop. Mentally, there is a lot of work to do before Saturday. Sale are a good team and only a win will do. The players, of course, know this. My feeling is that they are almost too aware of their obligations to both the history and the immediate future of the club.
After the game Andre said that “we are all aware of what it means, both in the office and in the stands. You don’t have to tell us.” When asked if he would stay on if the team went into ND1, Vos said that “It’s unfair to ask me now…..but I probably would feel responsible”. We can only hope it is a hypothetical question.
For the fans, I would offer this rallying call. Forget what you think is wrong. As ME said afterwards there is: “No room to look backwards. It’s gone.” Focus on one game – Saturday. Come prepared to lift the roof off the stand in your support of the team. Let them know you are there and behind them. Never waiver in that support from the opening kick-off until the final whistle. It could make all the difference. The players, the club, need your support. Lets all give it everything on Saturday.
I end in the time honoured fashion of great teams from bygone eras. Three cheers for Leeds Tykes. Hip Hip - Hooray! Hip Hip - Hooray! Hip Hip - Hooray!
Quins fans, depleted in number by the midweek scheduling - but complete with air horn (tut, tut Ricky!), were determined to be heard. The tension in the stadium, with an announced crowd of 8,161, was palpable.
The game followed a pattern all too familiar to Quins fans this season. Heroic defence, that eventually has just one tackle too many to make. Only this time it was two tackles and the lack of even a bonus point puts Saturday in total perspective. Win or go down.
Throughout the game, Leeds had a massive territorial advantage. For the first quarter it counted for nothing. Their only chance of points, a penalty, was missed by Ross - the star of their Powergen triumph. In fact it took almost half an hour before the scoreboard was called into action, courtesy of a 30 yard penalty by Jeremy Staunton. Amazingly, Quins were ahead.
However, Leeds knew they were on top and passed up the chance to draw level a minute later, going for a lineout rather than three points. Although they were repelled, it was not for long. Following a ruck, deep in Quins territory, the ball went wide right for Andre Snyman to barrel over. Ross added the extras, giving Leeds a four point lead at the break.
In the highlight of the evening for the travelling faithful, half time saw the crowd treated to the high ball prowess of a man dressed in chef’s trousers. He beat off all-comers to win the prize of a gallon of beer. Diamond Geezer. Nice one Prof!
The second half could hardly have started better for Quins. From the first lineout near halfway, the ball came out to Ross who carelessly threw the ball to his centre, but it never got there. Staunton took the ball, at speed, and went under the posts unopposed. His conversion gave Quins a three point lead.
Predictably, Leeds attacked with fervour. Ross missed another penalty attempt and Albanese threw the ball into touch – in a miss move with his winger. At this stage you knew that the next score was going to be decisive and so it proved.
With Quins in a rare foray into enemy territory, turnover ball allowed Leeds to attack from their own twenty two. A three quarter move ended with Man of the Match Phil Christophers diving over for the go ahead try with fifteen minutes remaining. It was the turning point of the game.
Five minutes later a Leeds scrum inside the Harlequin twenty two saw Dickens make a half break that, with the help of some non-existent tackling, set up Snyman for the clinching score that denied Quins even a bonus point.
There can be no denying that Tykes were the better team. When asked if Leeds deserved to win, even ME was forced to answer “Yeah”, without hesitation.
The question for all Quins fans is: “Where do we go from here?” Physically, the answer is the Stoop. Mentally, there is a lot of work to do before Saturday. Sale are a good team and only a win will do. The players, of course, know this. My feeling is that they are almost too aware of their obligations to both the history and the immediate future of the club.
After the game Andre said that “we are all aware of what it means, both in the office and in the stands. You don’t have to tell us.” When asked if he would stay on if the team went into ND1, Vos said that “It’s unfair to ask me now…..but I probably would feel responsible”. We can only hope it is a hypothetical question.
For the fans, I would offer this rallying call. Forget what you think is wrong. As ME said afterwards there is: “No room to look backwards. It’s gone.” Focus on one game – Saturday. Come prepared to lift the roof off the stand in your support of the team. Let them know you are there and behind them. Never waiver in that support from the opening kick-off until the final whistle. It could make all the difference. The players, the club, need your support. Lets all give it everything on Saturday.
I end in the time honoured fashion of great teams from bygone eras. Three cheers for Leeds Tykes. Hip Hip - Hooray! Hip Hip - Hooray! Hip Hip - Hooray!
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