The blues will therefore, haunt Quins again this week as they meet newly promoted Newbury have their first away game of the season. Saturday also marks the opening of the new Lexus Stand (West Stand) which we have watched being built at an incredible pace over the passed nine months. The ground capacity now increases to 12,700. With 4,500 season tickets sold, additional local support and a large visiting contingent from Berkshire expected, Saturday looks set to be another great and memorable day in the history of The Stoop.

Reading recent press reports and the message board anyone without much knowledge of the circumstances would believe that Harlequins' slide was continuing a pace in ND1 and languishing at the foot of the Division instead of second place. Following a below par performance in week one against Birmingham and Solihull, Quins direction and momentum appeared to have got completely lost in the lush vegetation up at Cross Green last week, but both games were won. It is clear that the team have perhaps not yet played to the expectation of management and supporters alike. We all knew ND1 would not be easy but why are we should not be beating ourselves up about it. If we carry on much longer in this vein we will have to add a link to the Samaritans. Adjustment to life in ND1 is ongoing, but one expects a big improvement this week especially playing at home in what should be carnival atmosphere at what should become Fortress Stoop this season. Come on lets accentuate the positive. Never mind the "Fancy Dans" tag Quins supporters are in danger of becoming the "Victor Meldrew" of the Division, and as supporters we need to ensure the blues this week, will only be used for the opposition.

I think that we all agree that the first two games this season Quins have not played to their full capability or potential, and have been disappointing yet they have won both games. Lessons must have been learned and it will have been very good experience to take to the tough games that lie ahead, particularly in the West Country. The pressure continues to be relentless Quins have to win at home and away and that is a very tough call to maintain such momentum all year long. There is no room for error, no space to relax. Bonus points and points difference could well be a determining factor at the end of the season. Quins must therefore ensure that every home game is a home win with a try bonus point, as well as winning by the greatest margin possible and making the opposition as uneasy as possible. We must get behind the team this week. I'm not being arrogant but the new facilities at The Stoop will provide a great home advantage, and will impress the socks off the visitors. I understand that there is no truth in the rumour that the away side dressing room from old west stand was actually saved, preserved and reinstalled in the Lexus stand.

Away from home clubs will do all they can do to make visiting sides uneasy. The reputation of Otley is renown, but last week, albeit very late, it was Harlequins who were too 'ot for Otley. There probably isn't a side in the country that doesn't have respect for the Otley. As semi-professionals they are a well drilled unit, especially at home and they know all the "tricks of their trade" and they are very wily. Brute strength is an equaliser at any level, whereas fitness and class will eventually show through as Quins showed at the end. It should be remembered that only one team won at Cross Green last season, Bristol who won 13-16. It is a very, very hard place to visit let alone win. Despite their performance the team did not give up and continued right to the final whistle. It was Vos who set them on their way to victory with a controversial try in the 71^st minute. Otley believed the ball was not grounded but in the long grass it was impossible to deny, before Deane burst through their defence for the winning try in the last minute of injury time.

The result from Monks Lane, last weekend, shows that Newbury will also be no easy opponents. Indeed Newbury are a bit of an unknown quantity, not much is known about their team but they have already shown that they can surprise. They almost pulled off a magnificent home win last weekend against the Cornish Pirates. Three minutes into stoppage time Damudamu went over for a final try, to put Newbury within just one point of the visitors. Their fly half Blair Feeney was left with a difficult conversion out wide to win it and although his kick was long and accurate it was caught in the breeze and drifted just wide of the post. Final result a surprising Newbury 25 Pirates 26! Newbury shot into a 14-0 lead within eleven minutes but Pirates fought back and the sides were level at 20-20 at the break. With both their wingers being sin binned, during the second half Newbury were reduced to 14 men for much of the remaining time which effectively cost them the match. Newbury defended very well however only leaking two penalties, and then scored their final try at the end. Following on from this performance the Newbury squad will be brimming with confidence and relishing their chances at the Stoop, especially ex Quin Chris Cracknell. The Newbury coach, Ben Ran was quoted this week as saying that despite Quins being their toughest challenge to date, "we would play Quins every day of the week if we could", and that Newbury will rise to the challenge and the size of the crowd would not phase his side. In, perhaps a typical first match of the season against London Welsh, which Newbury won 31-24, exposed areas that needed improvement. The three tries that Welsh scored were, I understand, given away due to poor organisation and communication on the field. It should be noted that last year no one managed to pick up a try scoring bonus point against Newbury.

On the opening day of the season they were regarded as relegation favourites, which seems to have bolstered there determination to succeed at this level their coach said last week "we will l make hay whilst the sun shines". They are certainly showing that they do not intend to be the walkovers this season and in sixth place in the table that is just what they are doing.

The team announced for Saturday has a couple changes from the starting line up last week. Keogh replaces Harder, Deane after scoring the winner last week starts at centre ahead of JT-H and Alex Rodgers who had a good debut at Solihull the other week, replaces the injured Mike Worsley. Quins continue to have problems with injury in the front row with injuries also to Jones and Hayter. However this is still a very strong side, and will be even stronger provided they do not continue to make the unforced errors that have held them back in previous weeks. I m pleased with the line up, although I would have expected to see Harder on the bench, if he was not in the starting line up, but perhaps JT-H will come on as the 'impact' player. It is good to see Tom Guest and Charlie Amesbury get their places on the bench this week after some fine performances in with the "A"s.

Finally, Saturday also will see the unveiling of the life size Nick Duncombe Bronze which is located in the Lexus Stand. As a fitting tribute, to Nick, his former Quin team mate and old friend Dan Luger will perform the unveiling. I m sure the team on the pitch will put in a great performance as their own tribute to one of the greatest players to wear the famous quartered shirt.

Come on you Quins!

NEC Harlequins:
15. Gavin Duffy,14. Simon Keogh,13. Will Greenwood,12. Mel Deane,11. Ugo Monye, 10. Andrew Mehrtens,9. Ian Vass,1. Alex Rogers ,2. Tani Fuga,3. Ricky Nebbett, 4. Jim Evans,5. Simon Miall,6. Andre Vos (c.),7. Luke Sherriff, 8. Nick Easter
Replacements: 16. Jimmy Richards,17. Lorne Ward,18. Pablo Bouza,19. Tom Guest, 20. Adrian Jarvis ,21. Jordan Turner Hall.,22. Charlie Amesbury

Newbury:
1. Faulkner, 2. Cooper, 3. Collins, 4. Smith, 5. Radbourne, 6. Damu Damu, 7. Cracknell, 8. Lubans, 9. Smaje, 10. Feeney, 11. Nutt, 12. Bell, 13. Irelandl 14. Bingham, 15. Roberts (C)
Replacements: 16 Green, 17 Aiono, 18 Davies, 19 Carter, 20 Scothern, 21 Styles, 22 Gibson

Match Officials:
Referee: Geraint Ashton-Jones
Touch Judges: David Sainsbury & Kevin Stewart
Television Match Official: David Warren

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