By sb
May 9 2003

The U21s finished their season at Franklins Gardens with a tremendous 51-24 victory as they successfully avenged a heavy pre-Christmas defeat at the Stoop. Typically, however, the 21s started slowly. From the kick off, Northampton retrieved the ball and, from a poorly defended maul, their number 6 strolled over for a try to go 7-0 up. The 21s reacted strongly and, for the first time in three recent appearances they got the ball to Ugo Monye in space on the Quins 10 metre line. Ugo's pace and swerve sliced the Saints defence to ribbons and his try under the posts was converted by Adrian Jarvis. Sadly, a few minutes later Ugo damaged an ankle and was soon replaced by Dipo Osho.

Quins returned to the attack and their pressure resulted in several penalties they were unable to convert. Then, against the run of play, Northampton drove into the Quins half and a penalty was converted to give Saints an undeserved 10-7 lead. The 21s returned to the attack and forced more penalties, one of which Jarvis kicked to square the score.

With the pack dominant in the tight and rucking well and with Tom MacCormick putting the Saints' line out under pressure the game was one way traffic. Persistent pressure was rewarded with a try and another Jarvis penalty before half time. In addition, with Northampton giving away a series of penalties, they were reduced to 14 men when their prop was carded for killing the ball.

Half time 10-18

Quins carried on where they left off and put the Northmapton pack under enormous pressure. First, what seemed like a certain push over try was only foiled by the Saints' No. 8 coming offside. He joined his colleague in the sin bin. Forgoing the kick at goal, Quins took another scrummage and again they were stopped illegally when the Northampton No 6 kicked the ball out of the scrum just as Kai Hortsman was about to score. Result: penalty try (but no card!?). Score 10-25.

Quins were now rampant and they started to carve great holes in the Northampton midfield defence. Henry Barratt scored two brilliant tries, taking the score to 10-37 before Saints rallied and a lapse in concentration saw their centre slip in to score near the posts. 17-37.

The 21s roared back onto the attack. MacCormick stole a lineout and the ball was swung down the backs for another converted score. 17-44.

To give them credit, Saints battled on and some excellent defence by Ryan Storer and Kai Hortsman kept them out. It came as some surprise then, when Quins let in a try even more soft than their first minute lapse. A clearance kick was fielded by the Northampton left wing on the half way line, he ran in field slipping some tackles and offloaded to the No 12 who went over untouched.

Quins, however, had the last word. Another fine backs move sliced the Northampton defence wide open for a score out wide on the left. Jarvis left the kick to fullback Max Willcocks who nonchalantly slotted it home to bring up the half century of points.

A superb display of forward power and attacking back play brought the curtain down on the 2002-3 season. With many of the team returning next season the 2003-4 squad looks full of promise. For some, however, this was their last appearance in Quins' colours as players like hooker Sam Walton, full back Max Willcocks and Blind side Tom MacCormick move on to new challenges.

An enjoyable season with that typically infuriating Harlequins' combination of sublime attacking skills and bizarre lapses of concentration that seem to typify the club.

And it is farewell too from your correspondent who will be watching an as yet unknown club next year (it depends where my son ends up!). Thanks for giving me the space to natter on at such length and good luck to everyone at the club for next season.

Cheers.

Team: Willcocks, Monye (Osho), Barratt, Allen, Williams (?), Jarvis, Outen (Martin), Horstman, James, MacCormick, Cread (Gorbell), Parker (Thompson), Storer (?), Walton, Hopkins (?)