By Worried of Whitton
March 30 2006

Round 23 of this years ND1 championship places NEC Harlequins at home to lowly placed Sedgley Park. Kick off at The Stoop is at 15.00. This weekend Harlequins have a strong mathematical chance of clinching the coveted Champions title, with just eight points required from their four remaining games.

This feat is dependant on Quins winning at home whilst  second placed Bedford slip up and loose down at Exeter.  

Ironically Quins and Bedford meet next weekend at Twickenham in the Powergen Trophy. It will be interesting to see how Bedford approach their league game against Exeter this weekend. Bedford are the only team that can now upset Quins’ promotion hopes, however with a number injury worries do Bedford release their title hopes and rest players to concentrate their efforts on winning the Trophy match at Twickenham? The two meet again in the league on April 22^nd, by which time the championship race should have been one.  

However Quins still need to concentrate and focus on winning their next two league matches. Sedgley Park seem to have n metamorphosed over the past two weeks. The part timers have put in two very spirited performances against two west Country Giants beating both The Cornish Pirates 31-21 and last week Exeter 36-28, and they will be out to pick up a multicoloured scalp this weekend. Last weekend was more woe for Exeter and their team who appeared to think their season is already over. Exeter were on a high after their win against Harlequins and whilst their narrow and tense Powergen semi final defeat by Bedford suggesting they had turned a corner may prove to be a false dawn. Every Harlequin will be secretly supporting Exeter this weekend, as they meet Bedford at the County Ground, and we hope that they can take another ND1 scalp, thereby, providing Quins win, clearing the last obstacle to win the ND1 Championship this weekend.

The news that Sedgley Park are now safe  from relegation this season, seems to have had a positive have affect on the way they play by throwing caution to the wind. Exeter started the better side picking up a couple of penalties and a penalty try, but the warning signs appeared as Phil Jones and his “Tigers” team wanted to run the ball rather than just kicking for goal. A quick tap penalty caught the Exeter defence asleep as Jon Feeley picked up a try for Sedgley Park. His team mate Ian Voortman capitalised on the same move later in the half, after Exeter had extended their lead. Exeter scored a further try and picked up a bonus point before Sedgley Park began to exert their home advantage and systematically worked their way through Exeter’s second half, 16 point lead, scoring three converted tries in the final 25 minutes of the game.

Harlequins have come a long way this season, and how far was shown last weekend on a rain soaked, gale lashed hilltop in Cornwall. Despite the raging elements of March wind and April showers, Quins showed their mettle and adapted much better to the poor conditions than there hosts as and as such were more determined to win the spoils. Most observers would have been very satisfied with four points from the win but resourceful Quins battled to a garner another precious bonus point as their stalwart centre Will Greenwood dribbled the ball across the line for their fourth try. Obviously the conditions led him to believe he was “back home “at the City of Manchester stadium! Despite the weather it is clear that everyone I’ve spoken to enjoyed last weekend immensely. As with our home game, Pirates prolific scorer Welding did not feature on the score sheet in this match either and Keogh now joins him at the top on fifteen tries with Monye on 14 and Easter on 13. No doubt all three will be looking to add to their totals this weekend. The team will not be announced until Friday morning but I understand that there are now injury concerns after last weeks mud bath and Deano has another good headache in picking his starting line up..

Harlequins and Sedgley Park met twice last November up at Park Lane, Manchester. Quins were comprehensive winners in the Powergen Trophy round match winning 61-13, however in the leaguer match the following week Sedgley Park clearly had the measure of Harlequins and done their homework, restricting Quins winning margin, 29-22, and picking up a bonus point for themselves, and in doing so are one of just a few teams to have achieved it this season. Home advantage will prevail and Quins will continue to remain unbeaten at The Stoop this season. I fully expect to see at try bonus point again this week, and before half time will make it even more pleasing. I understand that the Club will have established a link to the County Ground in Exeter and provide details on how that match is progressing.

These past few weeks have been very good for Harlequins, and put a smile on many faces. All in all April 2006 is going to be a much, much happier end of season for Harlequins than April 2005 ever was. The cloud of last April has turned out to have a silver lining after all but it has taken a lot of hard work, commitment loyalty and belief to bring it on, and I m sure we are all proud and privileged to be part of it. Let’s hope that fate is with us again this weekend and the mathematical probability that can secure the ND1 Championship is correct. This would give an added boost to the Squad ahead of next weekend Powergen Trophy Final at our other ground on the Northern side of the A316!

April 2006 is the start of our better, brighter, and multicoloured future.

 

Come on you Quins!

 

Harlequins: to be announced

Sedgely Park :    to be announced

Match Officials:
Referee: Rowan Kitt
Touch judges: Llyr Apgeraint Roberts, Paul Stanley