By AlanQuin
August 16 2009

The side that actually represented Harlequins in the defence of their Middlesex Sevens title bore small resemblance to that announced on the Club’s website. The England players, Easter, Care and Strettle, were withdrawn upon the instructions of the England management.

It was a very young team that was led by Chris Robshaw with many players only recently signed or Academy players. Nevertheless they gave a fine account of themselves against strong opponents.

Harlequins’ defence of their Middlesex Sevens title lasted no longer than the first round as they lost by 22 points to 27 to the invitation side Kukri White Hart Marauders, very much a specialist Sevens side.  This was an exciting game in which advantage changed regularly to either side and remained level until just under two minutes from the end when the score was 17 points each.

The opening try went to the Marauders after only ninety seconds but an instant reply came with a break from Luveniyali and was finished by Sam Stewart. Luveniyali converted.  Then a loose ball was picked up and passed to the left with clear space and threee men clear for Stewart to score a second try.  The conversion failed.  An injury to Jonno Ross brought a long stoppage and the stretcher to remove him.  Happily the injury was not serious, although he sustained mild concussion.  When the game resumed, Marauders managed to bring the scores level with another try so that the score was 12 -12 at half time.

The second half began with both sides trying to retain possession and looking for the break.  A loose ball allowed Robshaw to take the ball and pass skilfully off the floor to Ollie Lindsay-Hague to score and bring the score level after the Marauders had opened the scoring for the half with another try.  Finally, a mistake brought about Quins’ downfall as the ball was knocked loose in the tackle allowing the Marauders to strike for the winning try.

So Harlequins were relegated to the Plate.  It was Worcester that suffered first for that fall from grace as they were brushed aside by 40 points to nil with Ollie Lindsay-Hague running in four tries in the process and showing his considerable talent in so doing.  Gareth Williams also scored two tries.

In the Plate Semi-final Bath also suffered the indignity of being “nilled” as Quins ran in four tries. It took only 55 seconds for the inevitable try from Lindsay-Hague and shortly after Luvenyali stepped over from a five-metre penalty.  Then as the half ended and from a series of scrums the ubiquitous Lindsay-Hague was in space and inevitably scored again.  In the second half Bath were kept penned in their own twenty-two by Quins pressure and even with possession they could not break out. Finally, a quickly taken penalty allowed a good break and run and a try for Ollie Richards. Quins won by 22 points to nil.

So Quins reached the Plate Final where their opponents were Sale.  The prospect of silver, even if only the Plate, loomed large.  But it was not to be.  Three soft tries were almost gifted to the opposition and at half-time Quins were trailing by 19 point to nil.

They tried hard.  A 90-metre breakaway try, his eighth of the day, from Lindsay-Hague and another good score from Johnny Hampsey reduced the arrears to 12 – 19.  Quins worked tirelessly to get the equalising score, but their hopes ended as Sale scored a decisive try with the clock running out to win 12 –24.