With just four months to go until Christmas, those travelling Quins supporters who journeyed westwards to Bristol last weekend must have thought their Christmas had come already!  Although the match report did highlight that Bristol had made a series of basic errors which Harlequins were able to capitalise upon, but nothing should be taken away form a super performance resulting in six tries, and the debut of another new signing prop, Lorne Ward, from London Welsh.

This game completes a very useful set of matches for the team, management and the coaching staff to see how all the components function together and show what Harlequins have to offer this season. Pre season matches also act as an appetiser for the supporters too. Certainly with the way the team played last week, especially the youngsters, the future is looking very bright indeed, however the team and the supporters must NOT get complacent. There is only one goal on the pitch this season, Promotion to the Premiership.

So with just a week to go until the start of the season, and that very important first match against Pertemps Bees we come to the last of the pre season warm up matches, which is should be billed saving the best 'til last .There have been some exciting derby matches between the two sides in recent years and  Saracens are aware of what Quins can do. A message on their supporters web site, posted after our result last weekend reads, "Quins mean business, Saracens will certainly have a game on our hands at Harpenden"  which essentially is what these pre season games are all about. The result is really immaterial.

The match, will be played at Harpenden RFC, Redbourne Lane, Harpenden, as the Vicarage Road, Watford, ground is being used by its owners  for another sporting event  that day. Ah such are the perils of ground share, but this will give the Quins team and supporters an opportunity to play and grow accustomed to a ground and facilities more akin with those they will meet in ND1.  Harlequins played one of their best games last season against Saracens at the Stoop in November running out winners 40 -10. The return match at Vicarage Road was a much more dour affair, and exceedingly cold too with the two sides eeking out an 8 - 8 draw. I recall at the time it was a match we should have won and great emphasis was made on "two points won" rather than "two points lost" however, history shows that it was two points lost as they would have kept us in the Premiership! 

After that match, Saracens became the most improved side in the Premiership last season finishing 5^th in the Premiership, their highest position for five years, and I'll not be surprised if Saracens finish in the top three this year. Of the teams involved in Harlequins pre season campaign, Saracens appear to have made the fewest signings. Most notably is the replacement of Raphael Ibanez, following his departure to Wasps by Leinster and Ireland hooker "Mr Mullet" Shane Byrne and an aptly named centre from Henley called O'Driscoll!  Saracens have also signed Andy Farrell from Wigan RL, who appears to have seen the error of his ways and come to play the real rugby game albeit late in life. However, Farrell remains un-tried (pardon the pun) and un-tested in a Union match. The code switch is a gamble sponsored by the RFU. One is reminded that previous moves has produced mixed results for the National side, with the probably the club sides benefiting slightly more from such moves. With his age and experience against him the proverb about "teaching an old dog new tricks springs to mind". Farrell's size and physical presence suggest a natural back-rower, but his handling and kicking skills also suggest that he is a potential play-maker in the backs. Saracens have settled on an initial position of inside centre, perhaps with a view to a move into the pack as Farrell's understanding of the more technical aspects of the game improves.

Indeed, Farrell has yet to play for Saracens he missed their pre season match against Bedford last weekend, and will now also miss the match against Quins. He is nursing an injury to his toe, picked up in training, thus he has learnt that Rugby Union is certainly a tougher game than league! Saracens coach, Steve Diamond remarked "it is just a bit sore, it is not broken, but he won't be able to play until the soreness disappears" .Saracens have also signed Alan Dickens (Leeds), Tom Ryder (Leicester), Emmanuel Amapakabo (Brive) and Nnambi Obi, "a very fast winger" who also played for Henley. Steve Diamond has also added that Saracens were on the lookout for an international prop and a back rower, as it seems are most clubs.  Co incidentally one of Saracens leavers Prop, Aston Croall moved in the opposite direction and was one of Harlequins summer signings. 

Saracens opened their 2005-06 campaign against Bedford Blues at Goldington Road last weekend Saracens came out overall winners 28 - 8 picking up a brace of tries in each half.  As Quins found last year Bedford were well prepared and were excellent opposition for a pre season match. In what has been reported as a somewhat pedestrian match Steve Diamond, tinkered with the shape of the side that will start their Premiership season. Hooker Matt Cairns opened their scoring early on as the rest of the forwards shunted him over the line from close range followed by Thomas Castaignede, inspired by his recall to the French National Squad training camp, putting the ball down for a further  five points late in the first half, with Saracens leading 14 -3 at the break. Following a number of changes during the second half, Bedford gave some strong defence with no further score until the last quarter of the match, when Saracens added two more tries from Vyvyan and Haughton, with Bedford scoring a late consolation try at the end. As part of their continued Premiership build up, Saracens know they face a much sterner test this weekend. Incidentally Castaignede does not feature in the team, as he is best man at his brothers wedding.

It is expected that Quins will field a very similar 22 to that last weekend down at the Memorial Ground, Bristol. At the time of publication Quins had not announced their team. As Prof reported in his match review, "All in all it was a pretty good performance .The youngsters certainly looked good with Jordan Turner-Hall making a big impact in more ways that one,   As well as scoring tries both Charlie Amesbury and Adrian Jarvis put in a couple of devastating tackles.  All of the youngsters played with the same skill level that they have shown playing for the U19s, U21s and 2ndXV over recent years, it was good to see that they could still play their exciting style of rugby against Premiership opposition." The team scored six tries courtesy of Tom Williams, Ugo Monye, Tom Guest, Charlie Amesbury, Adrian Jarvis, and finally Mike Brown with conversions by Mehrtens (3) and Jarvis (2).

The forwards looked solid in the tight and are also mobile around the pitch. The half-back pairings look much improved with both So'oialo and Vass, and Mehrtens and Jarvis all looking very sharp indeed. I understand that Monye, Keogh, and Harder are also looking very good with Monye looking to have regained his confidence, and his defence has certainly improved and he is looking faster than ever. 

Entry to this game is £10.00 for adults and £5.00 for children is £5 or free if accompanied by a full paying adult. There are advance tickets but you can also pay at the gate, and there is parking is available for 2,000 cars on the day. I understand though it is a bit of a trek if walking from Harpenden main line station.

Finally, for those driving to Harpenden on Saturday please be aware that there are major road works in Harpenden at the moment with the A1081 closed between Kidney Wood Roundabout and Harpenden in Southbound direction and between Harpenden Common and Harpenden in Northbound direction.

The following information was taken from the Saracens website; the main road through Harpenden (A1081) Luton to St Albans is closed for major road repairs.

The best way to our approach the club from the North or the South is via the M1 motorway and to exit at Junction 9, follow the signs to St Albans (A5183) for approx 1.5 miles, at the roundabout take the first exit B487 (Redbourne Lane) signposted to Harpenden. At the top of the hill and (approx 0.75 miles) you will take a right hand access into the car park which will be well signposted and marshalled.

Alternatively you can approach the club from St Albans on the A1081 (before the road works) and take the first exit at the first roundabout signposted Redbourne. This is Redbourne Lane (B5183) and brings you to the club from the opposite direction described above.

Alternatively you may wish to check out www.multimap.com and type in the Harpenden RFC postcode AL5 2BA

So next week the hard graft really begins in earnest, not only for the team but for me trying to research the opposition in order to be able to produce a half decent preview!

Enjoy your Bank Holiday weekend.

Come on you Quins!

 NEC Harlequins: 15. Tom Williams, 14. George Harder, 13. Gavin Duffy, 12. Mel Deane, 11. Ugo Monye, 10. Andrew Mehrtens, 9. Ian Vass, 1. Ceri Jones, 2. Jimmy Richards, 3. Lorne Ward, 4. Jim Evans, 5. Simon Miall, 6. Chris Robshaw, 7. Andre Vos (Capt.), 8. Nick Easter
Replacements: Tani Fuga, Ricky Nebbett, Pablo Bouza, Luke Sherriff, Tony Diprose, Steve So’oialo, Adrian Jarvis, Jordan Turner-Hall, Charlie Amesbury, Simon Keogh, Mike Brown

Saracens:
15. Dan Scarbrough,14. Nnamdi Obi,13. Ben Johnston,12. Kevin Sorrell. 11. Richard Haughton
10. Glen Jackson,9. Alan Dickens, 1. Nick Lloyd,2. Matt Cairns,3. Cobus Visagie, 4. Kris Chesney, 5. Hugh Vyvyan (c),6. Taine Randell,7. David Seymour,8. Ben Skirving
Replacements: Shane Byrne, Ben Broster, Kevin Yates, Alex Sanderson, Iain Fullarton, Ben T Russell, Mosese Rauluni, Tom Ryder, Ben J Russell, Dan Harris, Tevita Vaikona

Match Officials:
Referee: Ashley Rowden
Touch judges: David Broadwell, Peter Emerson

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