By Terry
November 18 2002

The afternoon’s entertainment started well for Quins when the Diamond Geezers beat the Fez Boys in round one of the traditional challenge – the boat race, unfortunately things would only get worse. Within two minutes of the start Quins were penalised for pulling down in the line out which Andy Goode duly kicked (3-0). After a stolen line out Quins Quickly gave possession back to Sarries with poor ball retention which was kicked deep into Quins territory. Sarries were awarded a dubious penalty 10m from Quins’ line, a quick tap by Kyran Bracken found him over the line which Goode converted (10-0).

Quins were then on the end of a bad touch judge decision which gave Sarries a lineout inside their own 22. Diprose then knocked on, but Quins managed to get the ball back allowing Slemen the chance to put some points on the board but sadly the drop goal attempt went wide of the posts.

On twenty minutes a run by Tim Horan ripped through Quins’ midfield to score and to add more misery to a poor Quins’ start. The conversion was missed (15-0).Quins then offered Sarries an opportunity to extend their lead when we were judged to be not releasing the ball just outside out 22. The penalty was converted by Goode (18-0).

AT 24 minutes Quins then scored their first points of the day with a 30m penalty by Nathan Williams (18-3). Just four minutes later what seemed to be a 50:50 high ball was challenged for by Gollings and the Sarries full back Winnan, the touch judge and referee decided that Gollings should be sin binned. A good kick by Goode from over 40m wide out put Sarries on the score sheet again (21-3).

A missed tackle by Duncombe then allowed Haughton to further extend Sarries’ lead (26-3), the conversion was missed.

In the final minute of the half Quins finally broke through Sarries’ defence through Moore who went over in the corner, Williams missed the conversion (26-8)

Soon after the restart Flatman was sin binned for infringing at a ruck, the resulting penalty was kicked to touch by Gollings just outside Sarries’ 5m line. After a determined attack by Quins the ball was fed to Vos, who rolled out of the tackle and carried another tackler over the line (26-13). Williams converted from wide out to narrow Sarries’ lead (26-15).

Following a high tackle Quins were awarded a penalty which Williams kicked to touch just outside Sarries’ 5m line. The home side were penalised for pulling down, Quins persevered with another lineout. A good take from Diprose helped Quins push against the Sarries’ defensive effort and Duncombe touched down (26-20) the conversion was slotted (26-22).

Just over 15 minutes into the second half and Keith Wood was pulled off by the management and replaced by Tani Fuga. In the 63rd minute Sarries were awarded a penalty for what the referee judged to be a deliberate knock on, the penalty was scored by Goode (29-22).

A good period of pressure by Quins resulted in a chip through by Gollings which was collected by Moore to score a try with only 10 minutes left (29-27). With only 5 minutes remaining Quins were awarded a penalty 35m out which to loud Quins’ supporters’ applause Williams slotted to put Quins in the lead (29-30). Resolute Quins defence forced Sarries to try a drop goal which went wide but Quins knocked on behind our line gifting Sarries a 5m scrum.

With 2 minutes remaining Quins turned the scrum 90º gaining the put in, only for the same thing to happen to them at the next put in. With only a minute left on the clock Quins stole the ball and kicked clear. Sarries won the line out, fed the ball to Horan who used the space well resulting in a try for Kershaw to score which was converted by Goode (36-37).

When the Team Manager was asked for a comment he said “it was a game of two halves, with the team in the second half doing what had been asked of them”.

So Quins’ disappointing away form continues, but this time with a splendid fight back and, but for one mistake in the last minute that turned the result against us, we have a good reason to be optimistic.