By Harley Quin
January 3 2006

Fortress Stoop. Coming into 2006, the average score at home had been 49-11. Quins had scored a try every 11 minutes. For Pertemps Bees, languishing in the bottom three, this was never going to be an easy start to the New Year. NEC Harlequins 42 - Pertemps Bees 3
To make matters worse for the visitors, Quins DOR Dean Richards was not happy with the second half showing on Boxing Day. He commented darkly in his programme notes that: “Four tries conceded is unacceptable….and unfortunately showed that the ruthless edge that we need and desire isn’t quite there.”

With his words of “encouragement” doubtless ringing in their ears, Quins began the game in very determined fashion. After a brave catch by Mehrtens from the opening kick off (he was hurt in the process) Easter drove up to the half way line.

Under pressure, Bees conceded a penalty. As Mehrtens continued to receive treatment, Brown boomed the penalty deep into the 22. The lineout was secure and a flowing back move across the line saw Brown score close to the left corner. Mehrtens had recovered sufficiently to land a difficult conversion. 7-0 Quins

Not content with one try Quins came straight back looking for more. As Bees fought a desperate rearguard action, penalties inevitably followed. Each time the choice was the same – kick for the corner. After ten minutes the tactic bore more fruit: a lineout on the left, an unstoppable rolling maul and a try for Chris Robshaw. The conversion presented no difficulties. 14-0 Quins.

To their credit, Bees gathered themselves and launched a counter. This time it was they who spurned the chance for three points and went for the corner. A knock on ended the attack, but after a ruck infringement soon afterwards Walsh opened their account with a 35 yard penalty. 14-3 Quins.

Following a great kick off by Mehrts, the first half then returned to its familiar pattern. Quins attack, Bees are penalised, Quins kick for touch and from the lineout all hell breaks loose. In this case, it was Miall who was credited with the try from another maul. 21-7 Quins.

The next attack was going exactly the same way but, after a frantic period of action deep in Bees’ territory, another back move ended with Duffy just failing to get in at the corner.

However, Quins were not denied for long. From the ensuing 22 drop out Vos gathered the ball and burst through the defence to set up Robshaw for an easy score close to the posts. 28-7 Quins and another bonus point safely in the record books.

As AM was slotting the conversion, Nick Easter, who had picked up a shoulder injury, was replaced by Tom Guest after 35 minutes.

History then repeated itself. Quins attacked, penalty conceded. Quins kept up the pressure and the referee Dean Richards ( yes Dean Richards and, spookily, one of the touch judges was called Copsey!) finally produced a yellow card and waved it in the direction of Bees lock Rob Walton. It is noticeable how much more reluctant referees are to yellow card players in ND1.

That penalty produced another lineout, which produced another surge from the pack and a try for Ceri Jones. AM added the extras and Bees survived another injury time attack to go in at half time with the score 35-3 Quins.

The home team were forced to change things at the break. Mehrtens, who had been carrying an arm injury for most of the half, was withdrawn. Adrian Jarvis was forced to pull out of the game in the morning with illness, so Mehrts was replaced by Tom Williams.

The second half was dire. At first, it looked like a repeat of the Welsh game was on the cards, with Bees bravely taking the game to Quins. However, this week the defensive work was strong and committed. Bees were held scoreless throughout.

Error followed error on both sides and there was very little for the crowd of 8,550 to cheer about. The only points came after a surge by Will Greenwood (his last action of the game) which resulted in a penalty. By now, I’m sure you won’t be surprised to learn that Williams kicked for the corner. From the lineout there was a maul and Jones emerged with his second try of the game! With AM off the field Mike Brown completed the scoring. 42-3 Quins.

In truth it was another easy home win, with the game over as a contest at half time. However it was disappointing that, for the second game in a week, the second half was such an anti-climax. At least it was another five points and another step closer to the Premiership. With both our nearest rivals winning well, the gap at the top of the league remains nine points.

The match report this week would not be complete without a comment about the scoreboard. It didn’t work. At all. Many jokes have been made about it in the past, but it is incredible that having developed a stadium of such quality we are left with that as the only scoreboard. It is an embarrassment. Fortunately, it is the one thing that would bar our return to the Premiership. Its replacement(s?) cannot come quickly enough.

NEC Harlequins:
Jones, Hayter (Richards 65 mins), Ward (Lambert 65 mins), Evans, Miall (Bouza 60 mins), Robshaw, Vos (Capt.), Easter (Guest 35 mins), Vass, Mehrtens (Williams 40 mins), Harder, Duffy, Greenwood (Deane 55 mins), Keogh, Brown.

Replacements:
Richards, Lambert, Bouza, Guest, So’oialo, Williams, Deane.

Pertemps Bees:
Le Chevalier, Wordsley, Olver, Orgee, Walton, Tamarua, Trayhern, Jenner (Capt.), Knight, Walsh, Beim, Billig, Martin, Gill, Knight.

Replacements:
Long, Lewis, Gerry, Mateusrs, Davidson, Takarangi, Lamb.