Both teams needed the win to be in an unbeatable position, with Quins emerging the winners of the Herts/Middlesex 3 South league, 0 - 17.

As has been the usual situation all season, Quins were hampered by the non-availability of key team members due to injury, but according to Chris Kelly “our strengths of depth and character pulled us through under extreme pressure from a robust and determined opposition”.

Ironically, Quins won with exactly the same score which Abbotstonians beat the Quins earlier in the season.

Kelly said the team always knew it was going to be a tight game and were under no delusions to the magnitude of the task. “The combination of injuries plus the lack of games recently in the run-up to the decider meant it was not going to be an attractive game - in contrast to our previous efforts - and ultimately it was our forwards who were key to our victory.”

Nerves and high tension produced a scrappy game albeit with energy and passion from both sides. Possession alternated from side to side and no-one was giving an inch. After a determined but untidy passage of play from the Quins, the first try was scored by Matt Jones after 30 minutes. Sadly Matt Stevens had the length but not the height at his conversion attempt, but the versatile number 8 came back 10 minutes later to drive over the line for Quins' second try.

The Abbots kept attacking deep into Quins territory after half time with only the kicking boot of Ben Wigley and the relentless defensive tactics of the forwards to keep the opposition at bay. It took another 20 minutes before Quins' third try was scored by Captain Andrew Robinson taking advantage of a loose ball to dive over the line, with Matt Stevens adding the final two points with his conversion. In the final quarter of the game, Old Abbotstonians threw everything they had at the Quins but couldn’t hit the try line.

It was a difficult decision for the management team of Kelly, Coach Geoff Ashby and Secretary Frank Cottrell, to choose man of the match citing that there wasn’t much to choose between any of the players on the pitch. But decided to award it to Captain Andrew Robinson for his outstanding play and leadership.

Special thanks also go to the injured players and team members who came down to lend support and some sideline coaching during the game, and the Quins Supporters and Diamond Geezers who also sent their best wishes. It was so appreciated.
Next season the Amateurs will play in the Herts/Middlesex 2 league.

Harlequins team squad:
Phillipe Ah-Sun, Kwasi Appah, Matthew Jones, James Hayden, David Francis, Ben Wigley, Matthew Pead, Thomas Cooper, Andrew Lawrence, Jon Fairweather, Benn Richards, Ed Sterck, Andrew Robinson (Capt), Stuart Houghton, Billy Katiyo, Matt Stevens, Russell Wigginton, Colin Crowther, Lloyd Chavera.

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