By AlanQuin
November 1 2005

A strong Harlequins 2nd XV had a comfortable win over Oxford University Blues at Iffley Road last evening by 20 points to 43, running in seven tries. The result was never in doubt as Quins had two tries in the first 10 minutes to lead 0 – 12. 

A heavy shower had made the ground wet and guaranteed a wet ball for the match although the rain stopped before the players emerged from the dressing-rooms. It took only five minutes for the first score as from a free kick following a scrum the ball was moved rapidly left along the backs and then back to mid-field to find Will Greenwood breaking through the defence to touch down. Mike Brown’s conversion attempt was unsuccessful. 

Both sides engaged in a long range kicking duel which ended with a lineout for Quins near the half-way line on the right. Once again the ball was moved rapidly along the backs to the left and a clever reverse pass from Greenwood put Mike Brown on an unstoppable run in under the posts. With the conversion of his own try by Brown the score was 0 – 12. 

Almost immediately, a penalty to the University, tapped and taken before Quins had retreated allowed the Blues’ fly-half, Fennell, gaining another 10 metres, to kick through the posts and open the scoring for his team. 3 – 12 

The Blues seemed to take heart from the opening points and for the next quarter of an hour they increased the pressure. Quins defended stoutly. A magnificent cross field kick for touch by Greenwood gained 50 metres and relieved the pressure. Skilful handling and passing by the backs with another delightful reverse inside pass nearly put Brown away again and brought admiring applause from the crowd but not the try which the move deserved.

Then as the half-hour approached, the students gained a line-out on Quins’ five metre line. A penalty for pulling down the catch and drive resulted in another line-out and this time the ball was driven over for the try. The conversion was missed. 8 – 12 

It did not take long for Quins to respond. A long kick deep into Oxford territory was misfielded by the full-back, Knox, and the chasers were onto him before he could clear. The resulting penalty was tapped and a long pass right found George Harder for the simplest of tries. Brown added the points. 8 – 19

The Blues best attempts at exerting pressure were best served by some good kicking from hand by their fly-half who gained good ground and produced a number of line-outs within only a few metres of the Quins’ line. Unfortunately, they were unable to benefit from them as Quins did not lose their own throw-ins. From the Blues’ pressure a fine break-out by Greenwood led to a penalty being awarded against the Blues in their own twenty-two. The line-out which followed saw the ball caught and James Inglis coming round the tail of the line to score. Brown’s conversion attempt succeeded and half-time arrived with the score at 8 – 26.

It took only two minutes of the second half for Quins to add to their score. Pressure from the restart brought a penalty and an attacking line-out with another good catch and drive which allowed Tom Guest to touch down for the try. Brown’s kick failed. 8 – 31

Only three minutes later, following a free kick, slick handling and passing saw Charlie Amesbury touch down in the left corner. The conversion attempt failed leaving the score at 8 – 36.

The University again tried to increase the pressure and perhaps Quins took their foot off the pedal. The Blues began to indulge in some quick passing of their own and produced an overlap on the right following a couple of missed tackles which saw their very fast winger, Boto, score their second try. The conversion attempt missed. 13 – 36

A whole raft of substitutions on both sides was difficult to follow, but Kiba Richards replaced Harder, James replaced Vass and Ward replaced Hayter. A small difference of opinion erupted suddenly and resulted in yellow cards for the Blues No. 6, Jones, and for Kiba Richards who had only just come onto the field and had not yet touched the ball.

Rather more unforced errors afflicted both sides and disjointed play in mid-field resulted. Then, in a moment of individual brilliance, Quins scored again. From a scrum on the half-way line the ball came to Tom Williams and the fly-half took off for the posts at speed in a swerving 50-metre run that eluded three would-be tacklers and touched down for the try. Williams converted his own try. 13 – 43

Little else remained. Yet another punch-up ensued and should have earned a Blues forward a red card for deliberate punching of Tony Diprose who was on the ground. However, seemingly blind officials effectively ignored what was clear to all in the main stand and while delivering some admonitory remarks and awarding a penalty, took no action.

The last Blues attack, deep in injury time, saw a grubber kick through the Quins’ defensive line and the resulting touch down by Knox duly converted as the final whistle went with the score at 20 – 43

 

Oxford University XV: 15. Anthony Knox, 14. Jonan Boto, 13. Ali James, 12. James Whittingham, 11. Tom Tombleson, 10. Jon Fennell, 9. Peter Jenkins, 1. Robin Bridge, 2. Andy Dalgleish, 3. Sean Brophy, 4. Chris Hadfield, 5. Adam Harris, 6. James Jones, 7. Doug Abbott, 8. Marcel Du Toit
Replacements: 16. Dan Rosen, 18. Richard Graham, 19. Martin Underwood, 20. Kevin Brennan, 21. Matt Sherman, 22. Ross Lavery, 23. Sean Fauth

Scorers:
Tries: Abbott, Boto, Knox
Conversion: Whittingham
Penalty: Fennell

NEC Harlequins XV: 15. Mike Brown, 14. George Harder, 13. Will Greenwood, 12. Jordan Turner-Hall, 11. Charlie Amesbury, 10. Tom Williams, 9. Ian Vass, 1. Mike Worsley, 2. James Hayter, 3. Lorne Ward, 4. James Inglis, 5. Kevin Burke, 6. Chris Robshaw, 7. Tom Guest, 8. Tony Diprose
Replacements: 16. Aston Croall, 17. Alex Rogers, 18. George Robson, 19. Darren Clayton, 20. Duncan James, 21. Kiba Richards, 22. Luther Marais

Scorers:
Tries: Greenwood, Brown, Harder, Inglis, Guest Amesbury, Williams
Conversions: Brown (3), Williams