By Worried of Whitton
May 31 2003

May saw the end to the 2002/2003 season, and the final two premiership games. Disappointed to lose at home to Northampton, we bounced back to win away again by “doing the double” over Wasps. Seventh place in the ZP saw qualification for the wild card play off for a place in the Heineken Cup.

Whilst there was excitement generated for this end of season competition it meant three hard games in eight days which at this stage of the season is maybe not so welcome by some. I’m not going to discuss into pro and cons, suffice to say the play offs was the target of the Quins management and it was achieved..

At this time of year we also say goodbye to a number of players, Keith Wood was given a rousing send off our last home game, and we wish him well. Others names linked with departure have been speculated about and discussed at length, throughout the month. Those who are departing were finally confirmed on the official Club Website on May 13th.

In the Premiership games our tally for May

• Points For: 83 Points For Points Against 103 Won 2 Lost 2
• We maintained our position throughout the month to finish the season a creditable 7th, and qualify for the ZP wildcard play offs for a place in the Heineken Cup competition.

Seventh place in the league saw us continue to improve from our ninth position last year and eleventh in 2000/2001.

May 2nd Harlequins v Northampton L 19—31
Man of the Match as voted by CAW Mel Deane
“Heroes and Villains”

This match will long be remembered for the rousing reception for Woody as he led the team on to the pitch for the last time at the Stoop, and for the controversy over the award of two penalty tries by referee Robin Goodliffe.

This match started with a series of poor lineouts and kicks followed with neither side making much headway. Whenever Quins built an attack, the passing across the field was good but it became predictable as they always came back inside with Deane to smash a way through. Three times this was tried but three times it failed. Quins were very strong in the scrum, even though Leonard was rested, and they made the most of their advantage over the weaker Northampton pack. Although Bemand and his replacement Powell played to their abilities, the team was certainly missing the swift hands of Fulton. With three penalties scored (6-3 to Quins) the match looked as if it would become a kicking contest. Neither side looked capable of scoring a try as they took it in turns to lose possession in the wet and very windy conditions. Quins should have capitalised on what was a mediocre opposition, who at his stage of the match were beginning to wind up their game. Pressure by Northampton, deep inside the Quins half saw Blowers make progress towards the try line; the referee judged Williams had wilfully knocked the ball down as he tackled Blowers. The referee had no doubt that it was a deliberate knock-on and gave a penalty try to Northampton. This was the turning point of the game as it clearly affected the Quins players going into and after the break. In the wet and windy conditions, Luger was obviously dreaming of the South of France, was not having a good game slipping and missing passes as he went. A further Northampton try prompted some substitutions, with Starr and the welcome return of Gomez, who replaced Jones and Dawson to give fresh front row power to the scrum. Bemand was substituted by Powell. Deane continued to push and probe.

Revitalised, Quins won the next line out and produced a rolling maul crabbing across the field, Burke kicked to touch. From the line out Diprose and Vos tried to capitalise and push to the line but their efforts were in vain. Immediately Northampton struck again as they took advantage of Quins who seemed to have lost their way when a hole opened up in the Harlequins defence.

Following a scrum the ball became loose and Bruce Starr kicked forward and began a chase. He was never going to reach the ball but given the momentum. This was the start of probably Quins best period of play on the night. Another Luger incident when he looked as if he had a clear run for a try after he stepped inside two Northampton players, but he decided to look for support rather than making a break for the line. Quins continued to pile on the pressure with Fuga desperately fighting to get to the line, the pressure paid off when the referee equalled the penalty try count by awarding one to Harlequins when Northampton flanker Darren Fox was judged to have kicked the ball out of a scrum. Burke converted to close the score to 16-24 with five minutes of normal time remaining.

From the restart Quins piled into the Northampton half sensing they could rescue something from the match. Some good passing came to naught, as Harvey was once more involved in a wayward pass. As the clock ticked into injury time Burke had an attempt at goal but the kick bounced back off the post; he had another chance three minutes later when he kicked a perfect 40-metre dropped goal to cut the Northampton lead, 19-24. The game was to have one final twist as Quins failed to regroup quickly enough after the referee missed a particularly high tackle. The visitors struck again seven minutes into injury time. Following what appeared to be a mix up over calls between Luger and Williams, Grayson's high kick found Cohen and despite being tackled just short of the line, he turned the ball inside for replacement Tucker to dive over for a try. Dawson added his fourth conversion, to secure a bonus point and deny Harlequins a consolation losing bonus point.

Evans finished his post match press conference by saying he’d be very disappointed if we didn’t qualify for the wild card play offs but that could be down to getting a result at Wasps and/or the results of the other games still to be played.

May 10th Wasps v Harlequins W 21—25
Man of the Match as voted by CAW Ugo Monye
“A win at Wasps”

This was our second away win of the season. This result confirmed our seventh place in the Zurich Premiership, and a place in the Zurich Wild card play off competition for a place in the HC next season. It also gave us a ‘double’ over Wycombe Wasps; with Quins being the only team in the ZP they failed to beat.

Playing away from home, to the team second in the Premiership many thought it would not to be Quins day. Certainly Wasps started strongly with Quins under immense pressure, and seemed to spend most of the first half on the back foot. Wasps dominated the loose play up front, and although in the set piece we held our own, with Dawson looking very much the part. Quins took an early lead with a Burke penalty; this was against the run of play. It was Wasps who enjoyed most of the possession and all of the territory. Quins were pinned in their own half, relying once more on our omnipresent well-organised defence. Deane, Diprose and Williams combined worked to keep Wasps at bay, who were twice held up over the line.

The first wasps try seemed to galvanise the Quins who began to gradually get come back into the game with some “ penetrating runs and half breaks from Luger, who made more impact this week, and from the always-impressive Deane”.

Hayter, in a solid debut, added his name to the tackle sheet by upending Volley, but Wasps at this stage were still very much in charge and at 37 minutes Bell (who looked a uncomfortable for much of the afternoon opposite Fraser Waters) disrupted a promising Wasps attack, illegally preventing release and was sin-binned. King hit the mark from the penalty and we were 10-3 down with 40 minutes played.

Just before half time from a Quins’ line-out the recycled ball came to “Burke who lofted an inch-perfect cross field kick to Monye waiting on the right wing. Monye leapt and caught smoothly, but with both Logan and Van Gisbergen in close attendance it was half-a-chance at most. But Ugo didn’t see it like that. He halted, darted, paused, and took off for the corner - displaying a neat sidestep and dance to go with the burning speed he’s famous for”.

An early second half try by Wasps could have finished the match but Quins once more lifted their game. With Fuga and Evans coming on as substitutes they immediately, made an impact on the game. Fuga burst thorough the Wasps defence,” with just the full back to beat. He straightforwardly employed his Samoan sidestep to take out the defender, neatly offloading to Powell on his shoulder to score.”

Sanderson replaced Diprose and immediately made his presence felt with an impressive 30 meter break.” The ball was fed out quickly to Monye who was just inches short of the space he needed. The backs were motoring now though, and the ball went left to Luger, also denied, but this created the space needed, and Burkey floated another fine kick back to waiting Monye for his second try”

Another drop goal from Burke lengthened the lead again. Wasps try as they may but they were unable to score again, and Quins were safely home recording their second away win of the season.

As kwin reported, “An excellent and entertaining game of rugby, and some very promising performances from the younger players. When I saw the team sheet earlier in the week I have to admit that I was doubtful, but I’m more than happy to hands-up now and eat my hat. True, the inexperience was occasionally apparent (for instance the swiftly taken mark, just behind the oblivious Monye’s back), but what they lacked in experience, they more than made up for in confidence and attitude: There are not many teams that have won at Adams Park this season, and few that have beaten Wasps after being 10 points behind. It was a credit to us that we managed both. Monye had a debut he’ll remember for some time, Dawson was just outstanding in the scrum, and Rudzki, Evans and Miall demonstrated conclusively that you don’t need Alex Codling in order to steal the odd lineout. Amongst the experienced players Burke had a very solid game, on more than one occasion resembling David Seaman as he strove to gather Powell’s wayward passes, and while Sanderson looked a tad rusty from his long lay off, it was a pleasure to see him on the pitch again, with his trademark bullocking runs, intensive tackling, and mobility”

May 14th Harlequins v Leicester W 26—23
Man of the Match as voted by CAW Mel Deane
“Punchy Tiggers Fight To Keep Wildcard Dream Alive”

The first of a double headed clash with Leicester saw a very spirited Quins side fresh from their win against Wasps four days earlier. At times one wondered whether the game was being played under

“Queensbury Rules” such was the passion to win. On balance Leicester had more to loose. I m not sure that they would ever live down the ignominy of being European Champions one year, only to fail to qualify the next and spend a season in Parker Pen Cup. Quins however were up for it, Leicester are not the team of yester year and had lost eight times in the ZP away from home this season. Quins were looking for an upset, striving to get a big enough margin to take to Welford Road.

Quins played very well in the first half, against a Leicester side, devoid of many “names”. They remained on the bench, as the Leicester tactics; to soak up pressure, and wear Quins down were played out. Despite going 0-3 down after 20 minutes Quins were soon back into the match, with a vengeance, Diprose plucked the ball out of a ruck, and passed to Greenwood, onto to Fuga who charged down the field to score a marvellous try, which was converted by Burke. Six minutes later another seven points to Quins. From a scrum the Greenwood passed to Luger, to Powell, who when confronted by defenders chipped the ball over their heads. Powell chased on with Deane who caught the ball and grounds the ball for a try. Another Burkey penalty five minutes later and Quins are 17-3 up. Leicester began to push harder but are meet with an all round strong defence, with Burke tackling Tuilagi. In injury time Murphy sprinted down the pitch chased by Monye who kept pace, Murphy was brought down by Greenwood, as the ball is passed to Chuter who in turn is tackled by Monye.

Miall who had another excellent game in the first half was replaced by Evans after the break. Within minutes Quins had extended their lead with another penalty. This was followed by a crunching tackle on Vos, who was obviously in severe pain. The physio worked wonders and fortunately for Quins, Vos was able to continue. Penalties were traded as the score rolled on to 23- 6. Quins exerted more pressure with centres, Deane and Greenwood straining to break though the Leicester defence.

The game then changed, or as one report suggested degenerated, when Leicester made substitutions and brought on Johnson, Garforth and West. Not long after a fight ensued and continued long after the ball was gone. As the fracas continued Murphy collected the ball and went over to score. The referee appeared unaware of the fight and awarded the try. Quins replaced some tired bodies with Gomez and Dawson for Jones and Rudzki, and Hayter for Fuga. Burke and Monye continued to put in good tackles as the rattled Tigers resorted more and more “heavy tactics”. Burke scored another penalty, but

Leicester scored another converted try plus a final penalty to bring the scores almost level at 26-23, when the referee blew for full time. Quins had lost their points advantage, which would make it harder for them at Welford Road, although no longer the fortress it was. However it WAS a QUINS WIN!

Diprose was named on the night as Man of the Match, an accolade that could also be shared with the rest of the whole team after the tough game they played.

May 18th Leicester v Harlequins L 28—13
Man of the Match as voted by CAW Simon Miall
“Tigers claw their way back”

As AlanQuin said in his match report, “it was inevitable that this visit to Welford Road should be one match too far”. However Quins held on to their slender lead, ably helped by Tim Stimpson having a distinctly bad day at the office, finally relinquishing their hold on the tie, after injuries to Vos and Rudzki.

Only six minutes into the match Vos received that notorious late shoulder charge from Johnson, which eventually led to him being replaced by Sanderson. If this was the low point of the afternoon the Quins travelling supporters were rewarded by another super try by Monye. Greenwood collected the ball that had been charged down, he passed to Monye on the 10-metre line. He started his run across the field, and then turned through a huge gap which had opened up in the Leicester defence, and ran unchallenged some 40 metres to put the ball under the posts. This and the resultant conversion extended Quins overall lead.

Leicester however had greater possession as the first half continued, and their pressure began to mount. Quins lost their ball in a lineout. The ball passed rapidly to the centre for Leicester‘s Gelderbloom to beat Powell and score close in for a try. A conversion followed, and it was 10 -10 at half time.

A penalty just after half time gave Leicester the lead and all square in the tie, at 36 points each. The wind at Quins backs did not help them. Substitutions were made with Evans and Rudzki replacing Miall and Davison and Gomez for Dawson. However within five minute Rudzki hobbled off with a broken ankle. Quins were a man short as Back wriggled his way along the ground, to the try line for s dubious score putting the Tigers ahead. Hayter came on as Rudzki s replacement. The loss of Rudzki in the lineout effectively sealed Quins fate, by severely affecting their set piece play. Burke slotted over another penalty and missed a second not long after. A third penalty chance was kicked for touch instead of goal, the ball fell well short of the corner and the resultant lineout was lost. Leicester managed to squeeze in one more converted try at the end of the match to seal victory at 28-13.

Effectively this match was lost on Wednesday night was Mark Evans view, however the Quins put in a very spirited performance however, “Mr Happy” Dean Richards was not too pleased by the manner of the victory.

There have been some outstanding performances this month particularly by Deane, Miall and Monye.

Nominations for the Harlequins Player of the Month are therefore

Mel Deane Man of the Match v Northampton and v Leicester at home

Ugo Monye Man of the Match v Wasps and for that “Red Sea” try at Leicester

Simon Miall Man of the Match away at Leicester, sterling performances against Wasps, & Leicester

Tony Diprose - Quins MotM v Leicester and runner up on CAW poll

Jon Dawson - outstanding in the scrum throughout the month

Paul Burke – a drop goal per game this month, and his determination to get vital points on the board

AND so the season finishes, with departures of a number of our first team players

Good luck and best wishes to former Quins; Keith Wood, Dan Luger, Ben Gollings, Alex Codling, Nathan Williams, Bruce Starr, Matt Powell and David Slemen.

We look forward to a summer break! But, with an England tour match in Australia and New Zealand, and the continuing the IRB World Sevens tournament, how much of a break will this be?

We look forward to the start of a new season on September 13th, although a friendly match at home is to be arranged the week beforehand, probably on September 5th.

Have a great summer.