They say that rugby is often likened to the nearest thing to open warfare, and at times, the spectacle conjured up visions of that old Harlequin stalwart Mickey Skinner squaring up to a Gallic opponent at the Parc des Princes in what seemed at times to resemble scenes from ‘Gladiator’.

It wouldn’t be unfair to say that the bellicose approach of the French pack meant that the match could have been played under the Marquess of Queensbury rules! But Quins stood firm against open provocation trading punches measure for measure, then played the more fluent rugby to let their skill win the day.

Quins were in determined mood to erase last week’s 6-29 reversal in the Powergen Vase 2nd round, despite missing Ross Webster, the captain at fly half for a second week allowing Jamie Eaton to continue in his place, and prolific try scorer winger Matt Williams pulling out that morning, bringing in Rupert Shaw in his place and Ben Fretwell onto the bench.

The French got on the scoreboard first with a penalty after ten minutes; however, the game was nip and tuck for much of the first half. The Quins pack steadily applied their dominance in the set scrum and spoilt much of the French line-out, whilst the French half-backs looked likely to break out at any time. It was because the game was so evenly balanced that the constant exchanges of handbags continually interrupted the flow of proceedings, players being warned on both sides for their conduct.

The French missed another penalty after nineteen minutes but it was on thirty-four minutes that the French defences were breached for Quins first try. A series of penalties five metres out saw the Amateurs scrummage the ball successfully to the line until Farrant was able to touch down. Nick Wooton converted to give Quins a lead of 7-3, which remained the score until half-time.

The half-time team-talk reaffirmed the need to maintain discipline at all times and let the French be penalized for their open aggression. As it transpired, this strategy worked well.
The second half proved to be far more impressive from Quins. Confidence and determination grew in the forwards which led to a try for the front row - John Fairweather coming up with the ball, jointly claimed by Andy Lawrence – as the Quins pack capitalized on a rolling maul to cross the French line ten minutes after the restart.

The French came back at Quins with equal determination not to let the game slip from their grasp. Jamie Eaton came off with Harry Hurst moving to fly half and Greg Birbeck to inside centre. The pair struggled at times under pressure and a clearance kick charged down in the Quins 22 gave France a try to move them to 8 –12 and set the nerves of the Quins supporters on edge. However, an inspired tactical switch saw James Dewar move from lock into the backs and Issam Kurdi slot into the back row. This had the result of steadying the back line, constantly turning the French with probing kicks to hkeep them pinned in their own half for much of the remainder of the match.

The game’s sublime moment came when 12 minutes from time, Matt Stevens, the captain and No.8 picked up from the back of the scrum and slipped the ball to scrum half Russell Wigginton. Some deft handling of the ball then saw Phil Ah-Sun the full back take the ball at high speed from a switch move to crash through the French defence and score close in to the posts, allowing Wooton a second conversion to take the score to 8-22. Quins controlled the game to the end of the match, which was halted two minutes early when another fracas saw a French player finally sent off for foul play.

This was a dogged, determined display by Quins Amateurs which last season could so easily have descended into a pitched battle and resulted in players being red-carded. It’s a sign of the changing attitude of the players that this season they have been far more disciplined in dispatching opponents, even in the face of overzealous aggression. The return match at The Stoop should be worth seeing!

Next League match at home vs Quintin, Saturday 2nd October

Team: 1. Lawrence 2. Fairweather 3. Shepherd 4. Dewar 5. Curry 6. Farrant 7. Thompson (Blackmore) 8. Stevens (Captain) 9. Wigginton 10. Eaton (Fretwell) (Kurdi) 11. Wooton 12. Hurst 13. Birbeck 14. Shaw 15. Ah-Sun

Quins scorers:
Tries: Farrant, Fairweather, Ah-Sun. Conversions: Wooton (2). Penalty: Wooton

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