By N.G.A.
December 17 2002

Well it was a wet and windy night down at Aldershot yesterday for the 2nd team fixture against the side from Wycombe Wasps. A small and slightly mad group of supporters braved the elements and Paris hangovers to give our lads some vocal encouragement. The game started well for Quins with early pressure leading to a well taken try and conversion for Seb Fitzgerald. Wasps replied with some strong runs through the midfield helped by some missed tackles from the Quins defence. One break was stopped just short of our line by a fine tackle from Matt Powell and Dipo Osho who had both covered half the length of the pitch to get back.

Quins were able to score another try in the first half through Pablo Cardinali who went over after some good play from a well taken lineout around ten metres out. Seb again got the conversion.

Wasps did manage a try in the first half but due to a lack of a team sheet I don't know who touched the ball down, the conversion was missed. Seb scored a penalty to make the score at half time 17-5 to Quins.

In the second half Wasps came back well. As the rain continued the game went down hill for Quins with good work from the pack being let down by poor decision making at half back. Several times we stole lineouts and got turnovers from scrums but were unable to make any fruitful attacks.

Strong play from Wasps allowed them to draw level at 17-17 but the increasing amount of rain on my glasses stopped me from seeing the scorers. As the game came to an end Quins had a couple of chances to kick penalties but they sailed wide of the posts resulting in the final score being a 17-17 all draw.

It was good to see Alex Codling supporting the second team with what looked like a fully recovered foot. It was also good to that the squad had all been good boys this year and had been rewarded by a visit from Santa.