By AlanQuin
November 2 2004

Lack of discipline and too many unforced errors allowed the University to kick six penalties and score a match-winning try and despite three good tries scored by Quins, to run out winners by 25 points to 19. It was obvious too that having been without a match for three weeks many of the Quins team were a little ring rusty against an eager Blues side playing for places in the Varsity match now only four weeks away. Both sides started brightly enough and were clearly trying to run the ball. Then a series of penalties started the scoring as first Dunne missed his touch from the kick, Oxford’s kick found touch but from the resulting lineout they lost possession and as the Quins’ pack began to drive the maul the Blues gave away another penalty. Dunne found touch on the five-metre line and a catch and drive from the lineout put Cracknell over for the first try after 12 minutes. Dunne added the conversion points.

Almost immediately the Blues responded and were awarded the first of the penalties which were to ultimately allow them to win the match. From about 15 metres directly in front of the posts Fennell made no mistake. He was not making many mistakes with his excellent kicking from hand which was pinning Quins back and it was not long before another penalty for an offence in a ruck gave Fennell and easy kick from the 22 metre line directly in front of the posts.

Quins continued to try to run the ball and to perform in the manner which has been the trademark of the Second team. A fine run by Mbu and Reay was just pushed into touch before the tryline. But unforced errors began to abound on the Quins side. Continued pressure brought another attacking lineout but a poor throw resulted in the ball being lost and a penalty conceded by Quins to relieve the pressure on the Blues.

Another fine run by Mbu was stopped short of the line and shortly after only a despairing tap tackle by Barratt stopped a certain try as James, the Oxford centre broke through the defence. Another offence at a ruck produced a yellow card for Cracknell and another easy penalty to Fennell putting the University into the lead for the first time at 9 – 7 after 35 minutes.

Quins returned to the attack and forced a penalty which allowed another attacking lineout deep in Blues’ territory. As the ball came left along the line an astute reverse inside pass from Dunne put Mel Deane over for an excellent try under the posts. Dunn converted and despite being down to fourteen men, Quins led at the interval 9 – 14.

Indiscipline was to prove Quins undoing. Having conceded three penalties and 9 points in the first half, only three minutes had passed when they gave away a fourth penalty for an offside allowing the Blues to recover to within two points at 12 – 14. The Blues were increasing in confidence and stringing together good passes in the backs an taking the ball wide. They increased the pressure on Quins so that it was a considerable surprise when, after 12 minutes, Maama Molitika broke away from a ruck and outpaced the defence over 70 metres for another Quins’ try. Dunne failed with the conversion.12 – 19.

Unforced errors began to proliferate as knock-ons, poor tackles, turnovers and fault was being found with almost every throw-in at the lineout by the Quins’ hooker. The penalty count rose rapidly and the Blues were content mostly to kick for territory expecting to win the lineout. Inevitably another penalty in kicking range of the posts allowed Fennell to reduce the deficit to 15 – 19

The Blues were growing in confidence and becoming profligate in the process. A two man overlap on the left was wasted by a forward pass. Another attack foundered on a knock-on. With only ten minutes of the match left, the inevitable happened as the Blues wing, Bradshaw, rounded the defence to score a try in the right corner. Fennell made no mistake with the conversion and the University led 22 – 19.

The penalty count against Quins began to rise alarmingly. Every lineout throw was now lost or said not to be straight and the confidence of the thrower ebbed visibly with every attempt. Finally, as injury time arrived another penalty allowed Fennell to ensure the victory as the Blues won 25 – 19.

This was probably the worst performance by the 2nd XV for some considerable time. Hopefully they will have corrected some of these errors before the A League match next Monday.

NEC Harlequins XV: 15. Henry Barratt, 14. Neil McGovern, 13. Mel Deane,
12. Andy Reay, 11. Joe Mbu, 10. Andy Dunne, 9. Duncan James, 1. Tom Muggridge, 2. Marlow Warrington-Mattei, 3. Mark Lambert, 4. Karl Rudzki, 5. Opeta Palepoi,
6. Mamma Molitika, 7. Chris Cracknell, 8. Kai Horstmann

Replacements: 16. Reg DeJager, 17. Ben Thomson, 18. Gavin Hart, 19. Tom Guest, 20. Steven Jay, 21. Tosh Masson

Scorers:
Tries: Cracknell, Deane, Molitika
Conversions: Dunne (2)