By AlanQuin
March 8 2006

Two tries from Nick Easter and another from Gavin Duffy, all converted by Adrian Jarvis who also kicked a penalty goal were enough to defeat Nottingham by 10 points to 24 and take Harlequins to Twickenham to meet Bedford in the final of the Powergen National Trophy. Nottingham had already given Quins two hard games this season and they had beaten Bedford away while Quins suffered their first loss to Exeter. It would be a hard game and a cup match so that anything might happen. There was bound to be a flutter of apprehension in the stomachs of the travelling Quins support. But there was no need for worry. The result was never really in doubt. Nottingham rarely crossed the gain line while in possession of the ball and their line out suffered so badly from Quins stealing their throw and inaccuracies on the part of their hooker that such attacking line-out positions as their fly-half’s good kicking achieved were lost.

Miall excellent in the lineout ©Prof

That Nottingham were up for the game and very determined showed from the start. They were quick to the breakdown and within a couple of minutes had earned themselves a penalty for offside which Stenhouse kicked to open the scoring. Quins sought to counter when awarded a penalty and Jarvis found a good touch, but an unforced handling error conceded a free kick at the scrum and Stenhouse found touch just in Quins’ half.

Easter scores his first ©Prof

Then a penalty allowed Jarvis to kick to touch on the left on the twenty-two metre line. A good take off the top from Miall saw the ball go right and then left for the defence to open up and allow Nick Easter to cross for the first of his two tries. Jarvis was successful with the conversion. After nine minutes Quins led 3 – 7.

Jarvis Converts ©Prof

Nottingham redoubled their efforts and retaining possession through several phases eventually produced an overlap and saw their powerful No.8, Nic Fitisimanu, power his way through for a try wide out on their left. Stenhouse added the points and the lead had changed back after only fifteen minutes.

As both sides sought to exert domination handling errors cost both possession and position. A good run by Ugo Monye on the right wing ended with his being put into touch on the Nottingham twenty-two metre line. Quins were penalised at the subsequent line-out but a poor touch from the kick and then the loss of the line-out gave Quins possession again. Then an attempted break by Jarvis saw him isolated and Nottingham had a penalty. Although Nottingham was struggling to contain the Quins, as the pressure was being increased they remained in the lead.

Vos strong at the back of the line ©Prof

A penalty awarded to Quins gave them an excellent attacking line-out position five metres from the try line. Nottingham held the line-out and the ball eventually reached their fly-half behind the try-line when he saw his attempted clearance charged down by Will Greenwood and Gavin Duffy fall on the ball for the try. Jarvis’s kick was good and Quins had regained the lead 10 – 14 after twenty-six minutes.

Keogh congratulates Duffy ©Prof

Stenhouse failed with a poor penalty attempt and Nottingham again tried to attack. But they lost possession and again allowed Quins to find a good touch deep inside the home twenty-two. Nottingham managed to lose the line-out and a good Quins’ attack saw Greenwood give Duffy a clear scoring chance only for him to knock on with the line only feet in front of him. Then at a scrum in front of their posts, Nottingham were penalised and Jarvis had a simple kick for another three points from only fifteen metres. 10 – 17

Greenwood excellent in the midfield ©Prof

At least one further chance went begging as Quins squandered a two man overlap with a forward pass. Subsequent penalties allowed Nottingham to setup a line-out five metres from the Quins’ line only to see their throw stolen and the danger averted by excellent defence. The half ended without further score.

The second half saw Andre Vos, who had taken minor knocks to his neck and knee, substituted by Tom Guest and the team was led out by Luke Sherriff. For the first two or three minutes Quins set off at great pace but once again a handling error cost possession.

The Nottingham loose head not offering a bind ©Buzz

Nottingham threw everything they had into an attempt to break into Quins’ territory. The ball went left and right through eight or nine phases without crossing the gain line although they retained possession. Finally, Stenhouse was forced to kick and found a good touch on the Quins twenty-two on his left. Quins were penalised at the line-out and Stenhouse found touch five metres from the Quins’ line. An attempted catch and drive by Nottingham ended when they knocked on. However the referee had been playing advantage for Quins having pulled down the maul.

Miall on the charge ©Buzz

So Nottingham had yet another attacking line-out. Once again the catch and drive was stopped by intrepid defence and Nottingham had a five-metre scrum and then a free kick for an offence at the scrum. The tap taken quickly from five metres should have seen another home score but once again the Quins’ defence was solid and this time Quins were awarded the scrum to end a torrid ten minutes.

So'oialo breaks ©Prof

The pressure on their line relieved Quins set about mounting an attack and a high cross kick by Easter intended for Monye on the right wing was almost caught by the flying winger but just knocked on as another opportunity to score was lost. That was Monye’s last flourish as shortly afterwards he was substituted by George Harder. A further poor kick at the posts by Jarvis from a position identical to Stenhouse’s earlier failure did not add to the score.

The Nottingham tighthead binding a bit low ©Buzz

The game moved into the last quarter and a break by George Harder was penalised when he was isolated in the tackle. But he is a very different sort of winger to Monye and with the two centres, Duffy and Greenwood providing creativity and attack it was not long before the score came. A typical Greenwood break and pass put Harder through the defence and with Easter in support for the inside scoring pass the try was under the posts. Jarvis had the simplest of conversions and Quins led 10 – 24.

Easter lifted by Bouza and Miall ©Prof

Thereafter Nottingham tried very hard to get back on terms, but Harlequins’ defence was excellent. Scrums were defended and once turned. Line-outs were won on Nottingham’s throw. Even when Nottingham were camped on the Quins’ line for several minutes, every thrust was repelled or stopped until the ball was turned over and cleared. Even a yellow card for George Robson for a hand in the ruck as injury time started did not prevent Quins from resisting the Nottingham pack. The final whistle took Quins to Twickenham to play Bedford on 9th April.

Robson gets his marching orders ©Buzz

This was a workmanlike performance and the domination of the line-out and the superb defence ensured the victory. After the match, skipper Andre Vos said “Our defence was awesome particularly in the second half. We took their line-out apart. I am really pleased at the way the whole team played.”

Dean Richards was pleased by the result but his usual cautious self. “We binned a lot of chances” he said. “We had a lot of opportunities and just did not take the opportunities we had.” He acknowledged that Will Greenwood had been one of the better players on the pitch that day. Asked about the final he said “It is not going to be an easy final. Bedford is a good team.” He agreed that it might have been nice to meet Exeter in the final for revenge but that was not important.

Asked how he regarded the Trophy competition he said “From my point of view it is incredibly important. The team needs to experience the big match environments. This win gives them that opportunity.”

TEAMS

Nottingham
15. Ben Thompson; 14. Josh Kay, 13. Chris Wyles, 12. Tim Molenaar, 11. David Jackson; 10, Neil Stenhouse, 9. Kevin Brennan (capt); 1, Peter Cook (Neil Fowkes 63 mins), 2. Alex Loney (Joe Duffey 40 mins), 3. Nigel Hall, 4 Paul Arnold, 5. Lee Morley, 6.Bowley, 7. David Wilks (Adam Corcoran 61 mins), 8. Nic Fitisemanu.
Scorers
Try: Fitisemanu.
Conv: Stenhouse.
Pen: Stenhouse.

NEC Harlequins
1. Ceri Jones, 2. Jimmy Richards, 3. Lorne Ward, 4. Pablo Bouza, 5. Simon Miall,
6. Andre Vos (Tom Guest, 40 mins), 7. Luke Sherriff (George Robson, 73 mins),
8. Nick Easter, 9. Steve So'oialo, 10. Adrian Jarvis, 11. Ugo Monye (George Harder, 56 mins), 12. Gavin Duffy, 13. Will Greenwood, 14. Simon Keogh, 15. Tom Williams.
Replacements: Aston Croall, Mark Lambert, George Robson (Luke Sherriff, 73 mins), Tom Guest (Andre Vos, 40 mins), Andrew Mehrtens, Mel Deane, George Harder (Ugo Monye, 56 mins)
Scorers:
Tries: Easter 2; Duffy
Conv: Jarvis 3
Pen: Jarvis

Referee: Chris White (RFU)

Attendance 3476