By Worried of Whitton
February 10 2006

NEC Harlequins reacquaint themselves with the M1 motorway this weekend as they travel North to a very troubled and rudderless Doncaster at Castle Park. The game is being played on Sunday February 12th, in an attempt to boost local support, and a record crowd is expected. Kick off at 2.30pm

Doncaster were promoted into ND 1 last season after a very successful season in Division 2, however they have not performed as well as they had hoped and find themselves languishing in the lower reaches of the table in 12^th spot, hovering just above the drop zone ahead of London Welsh and Sedgely Park.

Doncaster have won just five matches this season, all at home, with wins against Plymouth and  Newbury. They have drawn one match away from home at London Welsh. When the two teams last meet back in October at the Stoop, a credible Doncaster performance limited Quins to a 27 – 7 win.

Despite two wins in December, they have not won a game so far this year and as such on February 1^st

Doncaster RFC parted Company with their Director of Rugby Development, Pieter Muller, with immediate effect. Chief Executive John Lowe said that the Club,” were disappointed that the financial budget and support provided by Board Members to Mr Muller. He had not engendered the sustained level of success that was anticipated”. He added that they “were unlikely to make an early appointment but would carry out a careful search for a suitable candidate for the post that would enable the Club to achieve its ambitions to become a major force within the Division” .As we go into Sunday’s game the Club's first team activities are being run by a small group of senior players reporting to Board Member, Paul Morris.

Naturally his dismissal has not passed with out comment from the Doncaster RFC supporters;

 “Is the club pressing the self-destruct button? With our passed history who will want the job now” -   

“This is bad news for the club. …. Will we ever find a coach who will be given his head but not fall foul of the hierarchy.”

With this comment giving some indication as to the Doncaster form Quins are likely to meet on Sunday.

”Can we so quickly forget what an OUSTANDING success last season was under Pieter Muller

Whilst watching the games every week, one thing that strikes me is the lack of enthusiasm shown by the team. During the warm up the opposing teams show aggression and commitment while Doncaster sometimes look defeated before they begin. Even after we run in a good try, it does not pick the teams spirits up and the opposition invariably come straight back at us and score. The skills seem to be there but hopefully the next coach will be able to instil some passion into the team for the last few games of the season and we will avoid relegation.”

Whilst Quins were putting in a somewhat indifferent performance against Nottingham, Doncaster were away at Coventry going down 37 – 24, however the score does not reflect how close Doncaster came to winning their first away match. Just three points down with ten minutes to play they were in a position to take the game but the chances that were created couldn’t be finished off and a controversial Coventry try in stoppage time denied Doncaster a losing bonus point. Doncaster believe that  there were Coventry hands in the ruck that set up their scoring position and despite discussions with the touch judge  the referee allowed play to continue. Earlier in the game a dazed Mike Wood made an interception in the Coventry 22 but fumbled the ball when a try was a certainty – and Coventry took the advantage to go the length of the field to score at the other end..

Doncaster are suffering with a backs’ injury crisis is just that – whereas the pack are used to playing regularly together and improving their coherence every week, the backline is severely disrupted at present and losing Mike Wood for the last quarter at Coventry has not helped although he is expected to be fit for the match against Harlequins. James Rothwell, has had an operation to repair torn medial and arterial cruciate ligaments sustained at Exeter and will miss the rest of the season. Donovan Van Vuuren and Nick Wakley are both expected to declare fit for the Quins game although Wakley could be recalled to Sale Sharks as they have injury worries there that may need cover. Since playing at the Stoop Doncaster have also Luke Nabaro and Danny Ligairi from their contracts.

Harlequins are expected to make a late announcement of their team, as there are a number of players unavailable for selection this weekend on Six Nations duty. Gavin Duffy is away with the Ireland A squad in France, while Mike Brown, Mark Lambert and Chris Robshaw are in the England Under 21 squad facing Italy, whilst Jordan Turner-Hall has been selected to play Italy at Under 19 level. Mehrtens too will not be on the team sheet this weekend as he is returning from New Zealand. Scotty announced there are a couple of injury “niggles” that have to be resolved before the team sheet is published.

This is a match that Quins should win, but they will not be complacent. It is important for them to put in a good performance after a week off and the disappointing performance against Nottingham. Doncaster have the ability to win at home, and have an even greater ambition to win as they are now fighting to remain in ND1.

Sunday also sees another important match at the top of ND1 as the Cornish Pirates entertain Bedford, Quins supporters will be eagerly waiting to see how the full time score at Kenwyn Road will affect them.

For all those making the long journey North, have a safe trip.

NEC Harlequins:
15. Tom Williams, 14. Simon Keogh, 13. Will Greenwood, 12. Tosh Masson, 11. Ugo Monye, 10. Adrian Jarvis, 9. Ian Vass, 1. Alex Rogers, 2. Jimmy Richards, 3. Ricky Nebbett, 4. Jim Evans, 5. Simon Miall, 6. Tom Guest, 7. Andre Vos (Capt.), 8. Nick Easter
Replacements: 16. Tani Fuga, 17. Lorne Ward, 18. Aston Croall, 19. Kevin Burke, 20. Luke Sherriff, 21. Mel Deane, 22. George Harder

 

 

Come on You Quins !

 

 

At the time of publication neither side had announced their Teams for Sunday

Match Officials:

Referee:            Llyr Apgeriant Roberts   

Touch judges: Tim Wigglesworth & Rob Sawyer Steve