Harlequins give Teddington a torrid time
By Viks August 21 2003
Harlequin Ladies kicked off their season with a pre-season friendly against local rivals, Teddington Antlers, at Bushey Park. Quins were at a disadvantage from kick-off, having only 13 players on the pitch, however, they played a determined game from the outset and were first on the score sheet.
By Viks August 21 2003
Harlequin Ladies kicked off their season with a pre-season friendly against local rivals, Teddington Antlers, at Bushey Park. Quins were at a disadvantage from kick-off, having only 13 players on the pitch, however, they played a determined game from the outset and were first on the score sheet.
Outside centre, Kate Sinfield popped back inside to Leonie Webster who sidestepped the fullback to score by the posts after just 5 minutes.
Winger Rachael Bullingham, playing her first ever game of Rugby Union, added to Quins’ score five minutes later when fly-half Alex Burbage intelligently chipped over the defence, exploiting space not covered by Antlers’ fullback. Burbage raced to the ball, which Teddington hacked over their own line and Bullingham dived on the loose ball with an outstretched hand to take the score to 0-10. For the next 15 minutes, play was very much dominated by Quins who made some determined runs but displayed naivety in contact, losing too much ball by being held in the tackle or not releasing on the ground. After a number of penetrating attacks, Quins scored again through Alex Burbage when she received the ball from a lineout, passed to the inside centre and then looped around to receive a perfectly weighted pass, cut through 3 defenders and was able to stretch for the line whilst looking to off-load in the tackle.
Teddington continued to make some good turnovers of possession but seemed unable to advance up the pitch, with strong tackling, rucking and scrummaging from Quins denied them the ball for long periods of play. Kate Sinfield converted her own try after 25 minutes as she stepped inside the Teddington defence to touch down under the posts. Moments before half-time, Quins’ scrum half, Katie Smith was tackled, landing awkwardly and suffered a fractured collarbone. This took Quins down to 12 players, however, Teddington, in the true spirit of a friendly game, dropped a player to reduce their numbers to 14 in order to allow contested scrums to continue.
A few minutes into the second half, Burbage was denied a second try when she received the ball from prop, Sam Marshall, and was judged to have been held-up over the line. The controversial decision gave Teddington the scrum 5m out but the stronger Quins pack again stole the ball against the head. Number 8, Vicky Gallagher, spotted a gap in the defence and picked up from the base of the scrum to score.
The game seemed to deteriorate after this and possession switched between the two teams with both appearing much more determined and controlling in defence than in attack. Quins regrouped and used tactical kicking, including some fantastic place-kicking by Sinfield, to advance up the pitch. From a penalty to against Antlers, Gallagher took the line-out ball and a powerful maul allowed prop, Tanya Wilson, to add the final points of the game in the corner. The final whistle went moments later with the score standing at 32-0 to Quins.
Man of the Match was awarded to Rachael Bullingham who showed incredible promise, good ball skills and a sharp sense of game awareness during her first outing in the famous quarters.
Harlequins Captain, Sam Marshall commented “This was an encouraging performance, giving us plenty to build on for the coming season. I was extremely impressed by the way all members of the team applied their skill and knowledge despite the 2-player deficit we faced throughout the game. The result was a credit to all the hard work that has been put in over the summer.”
The Harlequin Ladies are always on the lookout for new players. Whether an old-hand or a complete novice, we look forward to hearing from you. Harlequin Ladies train on Wednesday and Friday nights from 7.30pm to 9pm on the training pitch behind the 1st XV pitch at The Stoop. The U16’s squad trains on Friday nights from 6pm till 7pm at the same venue.
For further press opportunities or more information about the Harlequin Ladies email us at quinsladies@hotmail.com
Winger Rachael Bullingham, playing her first ever game of Rugby Union, added to Quins’ score five minutes later when fly-half Alex Burbage intelligently chipped over the defence, exploiting space not covered by Antlers’ fullback. Burbage raced to the ball, which Teddington hacked over their own line and Bullingham dived on the loose ball with an outstretched hand to take the score to 0-10. For the next 15 minutes, play was very much dominated by Quins who made some determined runs but displayed naivety in contact, losing too much ball by being held in the tackle or not releasing on the ground. After a number of penetrating attacks, Quins scored again through Alex Burbage when she received the ball from a lineout, passed to the inside centre and then looped around to receive a perfectly weighted pass, cut through 3 defenders and was able to stretch for the line whilst looking to off-load in the tackle.
Teddington continued to make some good turnovers of possession but seemed unable to advance up the pitch, with strong tackling, rucking and scrummaging from Quins denied them the ball for long periods of play. Kate Sinfield converted her own try after 25 minutes as she stepped inside the Teddington defence to touch down under the posts. Moments before half-time, Quins’ scrum half, Katie Smith was tackled, landing awkwardly and suffered a fractured collarbone. This took Quins down to 12 players, however, Teddington, in the true spirit of a friendly game, dropped a player to reduce their numbers to 14 in order to allow contested scrums to continue.
A few minutes into the second half, Burbage was denied a second try when she received the ball from prop, Sam Marshall, and was judged to have been held-up over the line. The controversial decision gave Teddington the scrum 5m out but the stronger Quins pack again stole the ball against the head. Number 8, Vicky Gallagher, spotted a gap in the defence and picked up from the base of the scrum to score.
The game seemed to deteriorate after this and possession switched between the two teams with both appearing much more determined and controlling in defence than in attack. Quins regrouped and used tactical kicking, including some fantastic place-kicking by Sinfield, to advance up the pitch. From a penalty to against Antlers, Gallagher took the line-out ball and a powerful maul allowed prop, Tanya Wilson, to add the final points of the game in the corner. The final whistle went moments later with the score standing at 32-0 to Quins.
Man of the Match was awarded to Rachael Bullingham who showed incredible promise, good ball skills and a sharp sense of game awareness during her first outing in the famous quarters.
Harlequins Captain, Sam Marshall commented “This was an encouraging performance, giving us plenty to build on for the coming season. I was extremely impressed by the way all members of the team applied their skill and knowledge despite the 2-player deficit we faced throughout the game. The result was a credit to all the hard work that has been put in over the summer.”
The Harlequin Ladies are always on the lookout for new players. Whether an old-hand or a complete novice, we look forward to hearing from you. Harlequin Ladies train on Wednesday and Friday nights from 7.30pm to 9pm on the training pitch behind the 1st XV pitch at The Stoop. The U16’s squad trains on Friday nights from 6pm till 7pm at the same venue.
For further press opportunities or more information about the Harlequin Ladies email us at quinsladies@hotmail.com
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