By Ralph
December 15 2005

Four games, four wins, including the thrashing of the Cornish Pirates in front of the largest National Division 1 crowd ever. Not a bad month all in all. Here are the nominations for player of the month:

POWERGEN TROPHY – v. Sedgley Park (a)

Our first date in the new Powergen Trophy competition was away to league languishers Sedgley Park. Having initially gone behind to a Shaun Wolf try and Ian Vortman penalty Quins quickly bounced back with two tries from Kevin Burke and our superior forward power went on to dominate large spells of the rest of the half, including the awarding of a penalty try when Park pulled down a rolling maul inches from the line. The second half was a much more one sided affair with AlanQuin noting that “Quins passing became ever more extravagant and more penetrating and even poor passes brought results”, turning the contest into somewhat of a rout, with six further tries in forty minutes, from Tom Williams off a cross field kick from Mehrtens allowing him to find space in the corner, George Harder, Tom Guest with his first touch of the ball from the base of the scrum, two from Simon Keogh and a final try from Will Greenwood. It also gave us the opportunity to see Williams play at stand off, where his beautiful chip over the heads of the Park defence allowed Greenwood to collect and score under the posts. In what is becoming a regular trend, Andrew Mehrtens was named CAW’s Man of the Match, polling 23% of the 57 votes. Kevin Burke is rewarded for his two tries in second place on 19%.

Powergen Trophy – Andrew Mehrtens


ROUND NINE – v. Sedgley Park (a)

It was almost inevitable then to assume that our league clash with Sedgley six days later would be a stroll in the park (sorry) and that the bonus point was as good as in the bag. In the end we did manage to grab the full five points, but Quins were made to work hard for it by Park, no doubt playing for pride as much as anything else after their second half capitulation the previous Sunday. It didn’t seem like that to begin with though, with Quins going over for two tries in the first ten minutes to notch up a 12 point lead through Steve So’oialo and a storming run from Jim Evans. Park pulled a try back only to concede again from our other lock, as Simon Miall powered his way over. Park had the last word of the first half with a try, making the score 12 – 19. However, the second half failed to produce the rout we have seen on so many occasions this year, although Mehrten’s kicking master classes must be going well, since a third cross field kick in two matches yielded a another try – this time it was Will Greenwood who accurately sent the ball over to Ugo to secure the try bonus. Ugo was involved in Quins final try too, a move which was started by scrum half So’oialo, who’s reputation is increasing with every game he plays for us. Gavin Duffy was on hand to take the scoring pass from Ugo and the score was 15 – 29. Sedgley Park had the last word of our November encounters as Ian Voortman went over for a try at the death, meaning they are the first team since Otley to gain a losing bonus point. CAW’s Man of the Match was Steve So’oialo with 24% of the 41 votes. His stock has really risen over the last couple months, with his trademark aggressive darting breaks often providing an impetus to the way Quins control the game.

Round Nine – Steve So’oialo


ROUND TEN – v. Cornish Pirate (h)

Round Ten was destined to be the most hyped game of the season so far, with a bumper crowd expected at the Stoop and the promise of a ferocious battle in all departments. The Pirates had an impressive attacking record going into this game and weren’t far behind Quins defensively. And so it transpired, with 50 minutes of tactical rugby and traded penalties. Although Ian Cooper’s report alludes to the lineout dominance of Quins, in most other areas the forwards found the Pirates had parity. The main thing Pirates didn’t have was territory, and indeed Ian neatly sums up the first 50 minutes in his report with the phrase “much possession but little penetration”. However, after constant infringements at the breakdown and canny use of the offside the Pirates finally saw the yellow card, and once Quins had some daylight between them, through a Luke Sheriff try, the floodgates opened. Further tries came from Nick Easter and Tom Williams, with Ugo Monye claiming a sublime individual effort involving a beautiful break and perfect chip and chase to beat the defending player to the line. Will Greenwood finished off one of his best performances in recent memories with a try at the death. In general the whole team played brilliantly to their potential. They soaked up the expected pressure at the start, made the hard yards and wore the defence down to the point where there was only going to be one result. However, there was really only one individual contender for Man of the Match and that was Andrew Mehrtens. As Ian commented in his match report he “pretty much dictated the pattern of play from start to his finish, keeping the scoreboard ticking over bit by bit, point by point.” Of all the Man of the Match awards he has received so far this season this, in my opinion, is the one he most deserves. This was the “biggie”, the top of the table clash and with such expectation riding on his shoulders he delivered, with a faultless display in all departments. Can we keep him? Proving once again that their half back partnership is beginning to flourish Steve So’oialo came second with 14%, with Mehrtens scooping 19% of the 222 votes.

Round Ten – Andrew Mehrtens


POWERGEN TROPHY v. Bridgwater and Albion (a)

Our next encounter in the Powergen Trophy is likely to be the most unbalanced first team contest Quins will experience this season, or possibly ever again if our dreams of a swift return to the premiership go as planned. Bridgwater and Albion, a Somerset team from Division Three South, must have thought all their Christmases had come at once when this ‘unexpected’ draw handed them a home tie against the former premiership fancy dans and, although it was undoubtedly one sided, you can’t help but lament that top flight rugby in his country doesn’t give every team a fair chance of a cup run with the possibility of giant killing at a later stage anymore. Firmly off my soapbox, Albion must have been delighted and daunted at the team Deano picked, containing no less than four seasoned internationals, proving that these days we take every game seriously, no matter who we’re playing. Although I wasn’t there I’d love to have seen, what AlanQuin (in his third report of November!) described as “Quins rolling maul frequently running rather than rolling” and Quins ran in 8 tries through Tosh Masson, Luke Sheriff, Nick Easter, Ugo Monye (x2), Tom Williams, Kevin Burke and Ian Vass. Kevin Burke goes one better than his second place against Sedgley Park to pick up CAW’s Man of the Match with 19% if the 37 votes. The ever consistent Vos and Easter share second place on 14% each.

Powergen Trophy – Kevin Burke

Therefore, the contenders for CAW’s Man of the Month for November are:

Andrew Mehrtens
Steve So’oialo
Kevin Burke