By AlanQuin
November 26 2003

In the worst possible conditions for running rugby, with the rain teeming down as it had done for several hours, the Harlequins 2nd XV ran in six tries to wipe out their opponents by 40 points to nil. Barely five minutes had elapsed before the first score came from a scrum just outside the Army 22 metre line on the right hand side. Scott Bemand broke round the short side from the base of the scrum and passed inside to Luke Sherriff who put Kai Horstmann in under the posts. Jarvis converted. 7 – 0.

Handling errors were frequent from both sides, but the skills of the Quins meant that they made fewer errors and were able to capitalise more readily on their opponents’ errors. It was such an error that lead to the second try after about 15 minutes. A long clearance kick into Army territory was allowed to bounce as their full-back tried to trap the ball with his foot. Unfortunately, he failed to control the ball and Tom Williams was able to pick up and cross the line for the try. Jarvis converted. 14 – 0

Both sides sought to attack, but the wet ball and the slippery ground caused those attacks to break down in handling errors and turnovers. A charge down of an Army clearance kick on their try line almost brought a further score, but the position was lost when the Quins strayed offside. Similarly a storming run by Horstmann ended in the ball being lost forward in the tackle.

Half-time arrived with no further score, though the ultimate result was already inevitable.

Almost from the restart, Quins pressure brought another try for Tom Williams when he ran through onto a kick through from Jarvis, whose subsequent conversion brought the score to 21 – 0. With their confidence high and the game effectively won, the Quins’ backs continued to try to run the ball and the confidence of the whole team was shown by the choice of scrums rather than the points when kickable penalties were awarded on the opposition 22 metre line.

It was another Army error that produced another try. An attempted clearance kick was sliced across the field where Tom Allen had only to collect the ball and cross for the try. The conversion was missed. 26 – 0.

With ten minutes left to play, Quins continue to exert pressure and it was Karl Rudzski, twisting and turning who forced himself across the line to add a further try which Jarvis with his fourth successful kick converted. 33 – 0

Finally, another quick ball from the base of a scrum on the 5 metre line saw Tom Allen again cross for the sixth try of the night. With another successful conversion by Jarvis the final score was 40 – 0.

Once again the undoubted talents of the Quins young backs combined with some excellent work by the forwards to produce an exciting and entertaining match despite the conditions. They remain unbeaten.
Team:

Harlequins: Tom Williams, Rob Jewell, Tom Allen, Andy Reay, Henry Barratt, Adrian Jarvis, Scott Bemand, Reg Dejager, James Hayter, Laurent Gomez, Tom Parker, Karl Rudzki, Roy Winters, Luke Sherriff (Capt), Kai Horstmann

Replacements: Cameron Dott, Gareth Rise, Chris Cracknell, Tom Guest,
Max Evans, Sean Crowley