By Tigerstart
December 3 2002

Combining a mixture of first team squad members and U21 players, the Tigers Extras entertained Harlequins 2nd XV on a very parky Monday evening at Welford Road. Sporadic matches have meant that the Extras have not a platform to perfect their game, but they dogged out a competitive and combative Quins, winning 25-15.

Having lost heavily to Gloucester and a draw against Oxford University, as well as thumping Cambridge University at home, it was a high calibre side that the Extras put out to play Quins.

It was a slow start to the first half, as there was a lot of defending and high kicks to tease out the opposition defences. Quins opted to kick their penalty in front of the posts, which Jarvies popped over to lead 0-3.

The saviour to the first team's problems in the back line could be the man who only started his third game since his summer signing, Gareth Raynor. A show of speed and electric angular running in the 20th minute took Tigers storming towards the Quins line. Taylor countered with a penalty in the 21st minute, levelling the score 3-3.

Twice Tigers had a lineout in a profitable position but lost the ball. After a clever chip and chase, Taylor followed through to the line where the Quins defence fumbled the ball and he touched down. However, as the conversion kick was at a tight angle Taylor was unable to convert.

Tigers gained more confidence in their defending, as Raynor took the Quins man into touch who had followed up on his high kick and Tierney charged down a Quins clearing kick. Quins charged right until the half-time whistle, using forwards to charge with the ball and recycling but Tigers defence held up, to go 8-3 up.

Tigers came out attacking in the second half. At a Tigers lineout, they spun the ball through Tierney and Taylor, the pack drove a bit further and Hipkiss took it on, but Quins stole possession. Gelderbloom made a nice break in the 47th minute, feigning a pass and weaving around the Quins defence but was caught short of the Quins line.

In the 50th minute, Tigers broke through as replacement scrum-half Hamilton popped over in the corner, to extend the scoreline 13-3, as Taylor was unable to convert the touchline conversion. Quins hit back in the 58th minute as they opened up Tigers defence as under the pack Hayter was over and Jarvies narrowed the score 13-10.

In a nice break by Taylor, the ball was spun out wide and replacement backrow Abraham was under the pack to score in the left hand corner. Taylor, yet again, was unable to convert the touchline conversion. Quins hit back again, Wilcocks took the ball in a pass out on the wing, where Tigers defence was stretched, and he was over in the corner, narrowing the score to 18-15. Jamie Hamilton's try and Taylor's conversion answered the crowd's wishes, as Hamilton was through the defence gap.

Despite winning, it was clear that Tigers defended well and combined both first team players with U21 players. However, the crucial element was the Quins ability to open up gaps in the defence and put players through, but the last line of defence held tight, as well as lose possession. Quins made deep runs that broke the first line of defence and had a combative edge to their side.

Recovering from injury, TT's namesake Tierney had a good game, as positive and energising as usual. It was interesting to see Taylor moved from full-back to fly-half but he had an all-round attacking game. Raynor showed the style of running that Freddie used to mesmerize defences with and an electric pace. Gelderbloom had an engaging game and his attacking and engaging nature earned him the man-of-the-match. Perhaps Wells and Kafer can relay to Richards the need for Raynor in the backs and Gelderbloom as bench cover, if not the No.12 position.

In a post-match exclusive with SportNetwork, TT got up close and personal with Mr Kronfeld. Commenting on the game, Josh said: 'It was very entertaining, as it was not raining'. How lyrical and rhyming from the New Zealander - obviously the rain had deeply affected him from the Saints game, let alone the cold English weather.

Pinky felt that a more deep meaning comment was required on the game, 'Despite a lack of excitement and passion, they got the result that they aimed for'. Inkworm felt that the game was 'Good value for money, especially as the crowd saw more tries than Saturday'. It was not only TT who was making notes, but forwards coach Wells and backs coach Kafer were on hand to view to take crucial details on the players performances.

The star-studded home crowd vocally encouraged the Extras, which included many first team members, despite a nippy evening (thank god it had stopped raining). The latest line in winter fashion was displayed at WR during the game. TT was modelling her most talked about blue ski jacket (the one everyone knows to recognise her by), Kafer and Murphy modelled woolly hats, Moody was wearing the latest fur-trimmed trendy jacket, Stimmo and Perry were definitely the 'Michelin Men' in their padded jackets with Josh preferring a hat and a hood and Franck pulling off a Nike body-warmer. Trendy or what!

Ollie Smith preferred the team jacket and his own bobble hat, and after TT's recent conversation with him at the Player's Night, TT can now confirm that he spoke to her after sending her to Coventry over the cheese remarks!

Scoring sequence:
18 mins Quins pen by Jarvis 0-3
21 mins Tigers pen by Taylor 3-3
32 mins Tigers try by Taylor 8-3

50 mins Tigers try by Hamilton (Jamie) 13-3
58 mins Quins try by Hayter and con by Jarvis 13-10
60 mins Tigers try by Abraham 18-10
67 mins Quins try by Wilcocks 18-15
76 mins Tigers try Hamilton (Jamie) and con by Taylor 25-15

Date: Monday 2nd December 2002
Time: 7pm k/o
Weather: Cold but good enough for a free Monday evening out
Crowd: 150 (ish)
Referee: Mr Roberts (who did nice arm movements and seemed slightly blind, and definitely did not want to get involved in the brawl that led to two yellow cards!)
Sin bin: 26 minutes Michael Holford (Tigers) and Darryl Griffin (Quins) for their part in brawl and they served their time in the bus shelters
Man-of-the-match: Glenn Gelderbloom (popular choice by the SportNetwork fans who attended the game-Pinky, BrummyTiger, Inkworm and girlyfriend)

Tigers Team:
15 John Holtby
14 James Hersey
13 Leon Lloyd (Captain)
12 Glen Gelderbloom
11 Gareth Raynor
10 Tim Taylor
9 Tom Tierney (TT's namesake)
1 Michael Holford
2 James Buckland
3 Ricky Nebbett
4 Louis Deacon
5 James Hamilton
6 Peter Short
7 Ben Gerry
8 Adam Balding
Replacements: Peter Cook (28-38 mins on for Holford as was yellow carded, 64 mins for Nebbett), Alex Loney (52 mins for Buckland), Rob Hurrell (Half-time on for Deacon), Luke Abraham (52 mins for Short), Tom Hayman (Half-time on for Balding), Jamie Hamilton (Half-time on for Tierney), Dan 'posh kid' Hipkiss (Half-time on for Lloyd), Ben Wheeler (64 mins for Gerry).

Harlequins Team:
15 Tom Williams
14 Ugo Monye
13 Henry Barrat
12 Andrew Reay
11 Max Wilcocks
10 Adrian Jarvis
9 Matthew Powell
1 Jon Dawson
2 James Hayter
3 Pablo Cardinali
4 Karl Rudzki
5 Simon Miall
6 Darryl Griffin
7 Luke Sherriff
8 Alex Mockford
Replacements: Sam Walton, Chris Cracknall, Kai Horstmann, Tom Allen, Scott Bemand, Dipo Osho (10 mins for Monye), plus some others were used.