By Hillary Carr
October 16 2003

After several ‘false starts’ the Wanderer’s season finally kicked off with a substantial victory over L & S Springboks, which demonstrated that there is sufficient strength and depth to the Amateurs squad if all members are available and fit to play. The game was sadly marred by head injuries sustained by two members of the opposition in the sixty-eighth minute, which led to the abandonment of the rest of the game.

The Quins team was a blend of the Wanderers squad yet to have had a game this season with those returning from injury and some new recruits.

The late arrival of the opposition meant that Quins were eager to get into the game and immediately put the ‘Boks under pressure on their line. Following a pass from Cross, full back Hugo was able to score in the right hand corner. Webster failed with the conversion (5-0).

On 18 minutes, Quins doubled their score when Bamfield broke through the ‘Boks line-out to steal the ball and dive over the line. The try was unconverted (10-0).

Quins were growing in confidence, both in attack and defence. The forwards were creating good ball in the set and loose play, despite the opposition fringing in the rucks. Wells, Cross and Bamfield constantly burrowed and harried the opposition to win ball. Buser at scrum half made constant sniping runs through the ‘Boks defence and combined well with Webster at fly half to set up sweeping passages of play that drove Quins ever closer to the opposition goal line. In the 21st minute, a good sequence of passes and strong support play saw the captain Pudner score Quins’ third try in the left hand corner, again, unconverted (15-0).

Increasing confidence often leads to complacency and sloppy errors. As a result, ‘Boks replied with a breakaway try following an interception in the 26th minute, converted, to make the score 15-7.

Startled by this turn of affairs, Quins’ responded immediately and two minutes later O’Reilly ran in the fourth try, converted by Webster, which took the teams to half - time at 22-7.

Quins pressure was unstinting in the second half. Seven minutes after the break, Webster executed a perfect dummy and sidestep to fool the opposition back line and give himself an open run to the line to score and convert his own try (29-7).

The play for the remainder of the match was conducted in the opposition half and Newman was unlucky not to score when held up over the goal line. From the ensuing scrummage, Fairweather was sent over the line to score Quins’ fifth try of the match, with two members of the ‘Boks defence clashing heads as they attempted to stop him.

Expert emergency care was provided immediately to the wounded by Eugene MacDonald and Angela Simpson demonstrating their enormous value to the squad and the vital role they contribute. Their head wounds were so serious that the referee duly abandoned the remainder of the match on 68 minutes with Quins running out winners at 34-7.

Robinson, making his return following suspension, sustained a worrying knee injury, and all the substitutes got a run out at some time in the match. We can safely say that our season has now well and truly started.

Thanks are also due to Chris Kelly for deputising as referee.

Man of the Match: Kris Bamfield

It seems that my wishes to Ist XV skipper Hillier for his anticipated discectomy (to insert the bolts?) was premature as the operation has been postponed again! And apologies are due to Stu Houghton for failing to include him in the ongoing list of injured last week. We look forward to the return of the ‘toothless terror’ as soon as possible.

Harlequins Wanderers
1. Cooper
2. Fairweather
3. Newman (v-c)
4. Wells
5. Sterk
6. Bamfield
7. Cross
8. Robinson
9. Buser
10. Webster
11. Mee
12. Pudner (c)
13. O’Reilly
14. Turquet
15. Hugo

Replacements:

Crowther
Lawrence
Lawrey
Roberts
Williams