By Chris Kelly
December 10 2003

The Harlequin Amateurs were 10 points up in the first half but went on to lose to Uxbridge 13-10 in the dying minutes of the game. From the start it Harlequins all the way, wind in our favour the Quins forwards dominated the game, they drove the opposition off the paddock, they mauled the opposition till the Uxbridge heavy leaded forwards sunk to their knees.

Quins 1st try came 15 minutes into the game, an inside pass from centre James Williams to the marauding Andrew Lawrence for him to score a well deserved try, this was unconverted.

From the restart it was Quins all the way, it was clear that the wind advantage had to be capitalised on and 10 minutes on Quins were rewarded with another well earnd try, again we failed to convert

No further score added when the whistle went for half time.

From the start of the second half, it was Quins who were put on the back foot by some tacktical kick from the opposition fly half, time and time again the Quins forwards worked there way up in mid field for the backs who at times showed promised but more often than not either knocked on or lost the ball in contact.

As a result we were continually punished by Uxbridge who took full advantage of the wind pinning us back in our 22.

Twenty minutes into the 22nd half in our 22, a Quins line out, Uxbridge won the ball and scored their 1st try,this was not converted. Quins were simply not concentrating on the game at hand.

From the re-start , Uxbridge secured the ball and used the wind to good advantage, again kicking weel into the Quins 22, where from a Quins line out Uxbridge again won the ball and Quins found themselves conceeding another try against the Quins line out which for the most part of the season has been our strong point. This try was not converted. The score 10-10 with ten minutes remaning.

During the second half it was Uxbridge who had no doubt taken control of the game, Quins game plan had not even emerged in the second half, a result of which Uxbridge exlpoited to full advantage, judiciouse kicking had been their strongest weapon and with 3 minutes remaning Quins again under pressure in their 22 were caught off side, Uxbridge slotted an easy penalty.

Final whistle went, leaving Quins 10-13 down. Coach Steve Melbourne whilst dissapointed at the result, certainly felt that the first half performance was something to build on and overall more positives were gaind from this game.