By Hillary Carr
September 26 2005

A new season and the newly-promoted Amateurs commenced their campaign in Herts/Middx Division 1 against UCS Old Boys who finished fourth in their league in May 2005. The two teams met previously this year in a cup game when UCSOB enjoyed a marginal win over the Amateurs by a last gasp try in extra time. The portents looked favourable for Quins, but the absence of skipper Ross Webster at stand-off and Vice Captain Phil Thompson from the back row led to several last minute changes that disrupted the Amateurs’ structure and fluency.

The Quins had several debutants in the side; Wells stood out at No.8, constantly sniping round the fringes of the rucks, mauls and line-outs and attacking from the front in open play. His commitment was obvious as was seen in his tackling, which was often ferocious and left a few opponents feeling like they’d come head-to-head with a rhino! Camacho, playing alongside him in the back row also showed a lot of pace around the pitch in support and bore the usual scars at the end of the game. But some of the forwards were found wanting in fitness and, as such, were often spectators throughout the game.

In the backs, Baines deputised at fly half for Webster, playing out of position. The pressure told on Baines, who often elected the wrong option, or kicked away possession. But he shows promise and playing in the centre together with match experience should help him improve. It was Baines in fact who opened The Amateurs’ account with a successful penalty after some sustained Quins pressure following a missed penalty opportunity by UCS.

But UCS quickly levelled the scores after another failed penalty attempt when they finally slotted one in the 12th minute. Quins restored the lead in the 26th minute and were showing signs of starting to click when the backs were let off the leash and Birbeck’s step inside his opposite number freed Wallace to score in the right hand corner. Baines saw his conversion attempt agonisingly rebound infield off the crossbar. The omens looked good for Quins despite a slender 8-3 lead. Sadly that was short-lived as UCS narrowed the margin to 6-8 following Quins decline into giving away unnecessary penalties that so often peppered their game last season.

Just before half-time UCS took the lead with a well worked back move that split the Quins’ defence to score and convert to the right of the posts. They then increased that lead by adding a further penalty on the stroke of half time to swap ends leading 16-8.

The second half saw Quins defence shut down the UCS offence, but in attack, The Amateurs continued to turn the ball over to the opposition needlessly, losing the ball in the loose or kicking away possession. As well as the penalty count mounting, the line-outs declined, the throws missing the intended jumper. All these errors cost Quins another converted try and a penalty to end the match losers by 26-8.

First game, higher league, last minute disruptions…hardly surprising then that The Amateurs were turned over. The return of Webster and Thompson will be eagerly awaited and should steady this ship which appeared rudderless on this performance. A new season and a new experience rarely suffered last season…losing. Better the wake up call comes now than later in the season.

Anyone wishing to join The Amateurs should contact Chris Kelly on 07947 374320

Harlequins Amateurs
1. Lawrence 2. Fairweather 3. Rose 4. Dewar (Capt) 5. Curry 6. Camacho 7. Farrant 8. Wells 9. Evans 10. Baines 11. Williams 12. Birbeck 13. Wallace (Vice captain) 14. Fretwell 15. Ah-Sun 16. Hawley 17. Haarhoff.

Quins’ scorers:
Try: Wallace. Penalty: Baines