Harlequins
The Good & The Bad: Quins v Scarlets
By Battering Ram Winger
November 10 2009
After the turgid nonsense that was England, I was prepared for some exciting play in the LV Cup. Sadly, it didn't quite deliver, but here we go. GOOD
1). The Pack -
Nice to see us shoving someone else's scrum about for a change, even if we did stuff it up and nearly lose the game as a result of trying to do it again when we should have been getting the ball out.
Lineouts worked, Percival had a strong game in particular. And our pack was hardly the band of aged veterans against the Scarlets' babes in arms the Sky commentators kept alledging it to be.
2).Dickson looks a useful player -
Certainly a lot better than So'oailo!
3). A try for Strettle! -
About time he saw some ball, pity he was half-crippled scoring it. I suppose we can be thankful that when he went down clutching his knee/leg, he didn't blow out his knee or tear his hamstring as I first thought, it was just plain old thuggery from Stoddart.
4). A decent crowd -
It seemed, especially given the lacklustre nature of the competition, the events of the day before killing most people's rugby appreciation brains and the fact that I was at home after having a wee tipple in Bristol the day before.
5). The young front row (plus Cairns)
Looked pretty useful.
BAD -
1). Failure to finish off the opposition -
We had little or no penetration behind the pack, but having lost Strettle and Mordt in the first half, rejigging the backline and having So'oailo slowing down any quick ball, we did fairly well. Plus Mike Brown never passing the ball.
2). Scarlets' away shirts -
Why? It's not like green didn't cash anymore than red would have.
Really, this game was very "meh", but it's nice not to lose.
Digg
Delicious
Facebook
Reddit
StumbleuponThe Good & The Bad: Quins v Scarlets
Discussion started by ComeAllWithin.co.uk , 10/11/2009 23:08
ComeAllWithin.co.uk
10/11/2009 23:08
10/11/2009 23:08
What do you think? You can have your say by posting below.
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.
The dig at Steve was a bit out of order, I thought he had a fine game, and even did well out of position.
I do think Dickson is a good signing though
I do think Dickson is a good signing though
Nor is 6k a decent crowd 
I did laugh at Sky's comemntators making us out to be grizzled veteran - <welsh accent> bags of experience, bags of know-how </welsh accent> - but it's a compliment that people consider the team to be that experienced when really they're not.
I did laugh at Sky's comemntators making us out to be grizzled veteran - <welsh accent> bags of experience, bags of know-how </welsh accent> - but it's a compliment that people consider the team to be that experienced when really they're not.
I agree with Prof about the dig at Steve's performance
HOWEVER
if you mentioned his haircut under BAD then I d be with you
Do we really need another Mr T?
HOWEVER
if you mentioned his haircut under BAD then I d be with you
Do we really need another Mr T?
Good:
Rory Clegg, apart from not trying for a drop goal at end, he looks like he has a good rugby brain, and is very hands on & physical as well!
Rory Clegg, apart from not trying for a drop goal at end, he looks like he has a good rugby brain, and is very hands on & physical as well!
Agree with the observation on Rory.
I'd add
Good
- The impecable observation of the minute's silence
- Stretts before he went off
- Our line out
- Our scrum
- The first 10 minutes
Mixed (a new category)
- SS - we got some quick ball, we got some very slow ball, and he should be fined for that mullet
Bad
- Decision making of the coaches (Dickson for Mordt???)
- Mike Brown's inability to pass
- The genearal lack of any apparent structure or game plan
- Players getting isolated too often (a combination of individuals making the wrong choices and a lack of support)
- Our kicking from hand which too often went down the opposition's throat
- Our apparent lack of penetration when inside the 22
- Tom Guest's yellow card - he had been warned
- Some pretty poor tackling
- The fact that we went off the boil after 10 minutes
- The fact that the coaches couldn't turn things round at half time
Apart from that we were brilliant!
I'd add
Good
- The impecable observation of the minute's silence
- Stretts before he went off
- Our line out
- Our scrum
- The first 10 minutes
Mixed (a new category)
- SS - we got some quick ball, we got some very slow ball, and he should be fined for that mullet
Bad
- Decision making of the coaches (Dickson for Mordt???)
- Mike Brown's inability to pass
- The genearal lack of any apparent structure or game plan
- Players getting isolated too often (a combination of individuals making the wrong choices and a lack of support)
- Our kicking from hand which too often went down the opposition's throat
- Our apparent lack of penetration when inside the 22
- Tom Guest's yellow card - he had been warned
- Some pretty poor tackling
- The fact that we went off the boil after 10 minutes
- The fact that the coaches couldn't turn things round at half time
Apart from that we were brilliant!
I think too much is being made of Mike Brown not passing ,how often does he come into the line or run from deep and the defensive line is holding, so passing to the wing would often mean the wing would be easily tackled into touch, whereas if Brown can break the defensive line or even make a half break and then pass it is better.
Or if he stays on his feet and makes a target for the forwards to get in behind and drive.
Passing isn't always the best option
Or if he stays on his feet and makes a target for the forwards to get in behind and drive.
Passing isn't always the best option
I'm sure you are partly right Prof, but it can be infuriating when our wingers are rarely even given the chance to back themselves in a one on one situation. It's noble of Mike to take the responsibility of taking the ball into contact, and he rarely gets turned over, but so often I'm left wondering "what if?"!!
Can't give the pack full marks I'm afraid. Set piece was good, but we lost the ball A LOT on the ground. Up front was where this game should have been won and we didn't overwhelm them. Quick ball isn't just about the speed of the 9's pass, the forwards need to knock some holes in the line AND present the ball cleanly.
Prof - I only think it seems like a lot is being made of Mike's non passing because he makes so many of those good half-breaks you mention, but often doesn't put anyone away as a result. It sticks out because the word TRY is just forming in your head in red neon letters and then it disappears as Mike hits the ground still clutching the ball. It doesn't make him a bad player, but it means a fair bit of his good work goes to waste and possibly stops him being a great player.
Prof - I only think it seems like a lot is being made of Mike's non passing because he makes so many of those good half-breaks you mention, but often doesn't put anyone away as a result. It sticks out because the word TRY is just forming in your head in red neon letters and then it disappears as Mike hits the ground still clutching the ball. It doesn't make him a bad player, but it means a fair bit of his good work goes to waste and possibly stops him being a great player.
Quote:The Prof
I think too much is being made of Mike Brown not passing ,how often does he come into the line or run from deep and the defensive line is holding, so passing to the wing would often mean the wing would be easily tackled into touch, whereas if Brown can break the defensive line or even make a half break and then pass it is better.
Or if he stays on his feet and makes a target for the forwards to get in behind and drive.
Passing isn't always the best option
No it isn't and I agree that Mike contributes a lot. However, at the moment IMHO he is a good player. He could be a great player if he knew when to pass and when not. At the moment, I feel he holds on to the ball a little bit too much.
Several times SS was free on the wing and Brown decided not to use him. The danger of being tackled into touch was pretty remote.
I wonder if Mike is being asked to play that way? With JTH out, he's probably our strongest player at standing up in the tackle (at least among the backs).
If we're trying to get back to the offloading game of last year (and admittedly we're a way off!), the intent may be for him to draw in players and create space before offloading. I don't remember him having a big problem with passing in previous seasons.
Not that the rest of the team is playing to exploit that style of play at the moment.
If we're trying to get back to the offloading game of last year (and admittedly we're a way off!), the intent may be for him to draw in players and create space before offloading. I don't remember him having a big problem with passing in previous seasons.
Not that the rest of the team is playing to exploit that style of play at the moment.
Just rewatched the game on Sky+ and it was certainly better than I remembered. The Scarletts gameplan seemed to be to defend and take their chances when they came which they did really well.
From someone who has previously referred to SS as rubbish I thought he had a good game (he wasn't too shabby on the wing considering) and Croall and Lowe were very good. Lowe seems to keep getting better each game and he put in some great tackles. Dickson and Cairns look like excellent signings too.Roll in Newcastle!
From someone who has previously referred to SS as rubbish I thought he had a good game (he wasn't too shabby on the wing considering) and Croall and Lowe were very good. Lowe seems to keep getting better each game and he put in some great tackles. Dickson and Cairns look like excellent signings too.Roll in Newcastle!
Quote:Nicksb
Just rewatched the game on Sky+ and it was certainly better than I remembered. The Scarletts gameplan seemed to be to defend and take their chances when they came which they did really well.
From someone who has previously referred to SS as rubbish I thought he had a good game (he wasn't too shabby on the wing considering) and Croall and Lowe were very good. Lowe seems to keep getting better each game and he put in some great tackles. Dickson and Cairns look like excellent signings too.Roll in Newcastle!
Roll in Newcastle? Have you gone off doughnuts then?
The game's afoot;
Follow your spirit: and upon this charge,
Cry — God for Harry! England and Saint George
But seriously now....I went to watch the sky+ of the game and was confronted by a recording of Jedwards..? You haven't been furtling with my sky box have you?
The game's afoot;
Follow your spirit: and upon this charge,
Cry — God for Harry! England and Saint George
The game's afoot;
Follow your spirit: and upon this charge,
Cry — God for Harry! England and Saint George
its all coming out now - I suppose you ''accidently'' recorded 'strictly come dancing too!!'
On another note, Jimmy Saville's biography is going to be called Apolcalypse Now Then - which made me giggle on the tube today!
On another note, Jimmy Saville's biography is going to be called Apolcalypse Now Then - which made me giggle on the tube today!
We should have him as DOR! He could definitely Fix It!
The game's afoot;
Follow your spirit: and upon this charge,
Cry — God for Harry! England and Saint George
The game's afoot;
Follow your spirit: and upon this charge,
Cry — God for Harry! England and Saint George
Quote:DOK
Already got his own tracksuit!
The game's afoot;
Follow your spirit: and upon this charge,
Cry — God for Harry! England and Saint George
Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.
