Harlequins
Harlequins Guaranteed A League Semi-Final Spot
By Tony Diprose
April 6 2010
Tony Diprose explains that Quins are already guaranteed an A League semi-final place.
Monday 26th April – A League Semi Finals
Semi Final 1 - Winner Southern Conference v Runner Up Northern Conference
Semi Final 2 - Winner Northern Conference v Runner Up Southern Conference
The 2 teams who win their respective conferences will be the home sides for these fixtures.
Monday 3rd May – A League Final
Winner of Semi Final 1 v Winner of Semi Final 2
The team who has scored the most tries during the group stages of the league, of the two teams in the final, will get home advantage for the final.
Therefore Harlequins are already guaranteed a semi-final place but need to win our last game v Wasps to win the conference and gain a home semi-final. Our opposition in that semi-final, be it home or away, will be either Leeds, Leicester or Northampton.
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Discussion started by ComeAllWithin.co.uk , 06/04/2010 19:45
ComeAllWithin.co.uk
06/04/2010 19:45
06/04/2010 19:45
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It would have been helpful if the Guinness Premiership site showed semi-finals instead of a simple Final tba!
Just hoping that the maths work out that we get a final (semi win permitting obv..!) versus Northampton having topped our group so I can actually get to both games...
Our last game is vs. Wasps at home so we should hope for a win. Will this game be at the Stoop? I hope so. Sarries will not be able to catch us then WHEN WE WIN!
Fixture list says it's at the Stoop. Better had be as it's the day before my birthday and I've persuaded the other half (first time ever...) to come along... Not sure Imber Court would go down so well...
Taking up the point that QP made earlier. If Quins get to the final and so does Leeds then because of the greater number of tries scored in the group stage they would get home advantage in the final.
A couple of years ago the final was over two legs and we just lost out to Tigers. Seemed a better format.
It sounds to me that we need to have vocal support on the 19th and pray that the other team from the SC is stronger than the side from the NC. That way we could get a final at the Stoop.
Shame about the date as I will not be here then
A couple of years ago the final was over two legs and we just lost out to Tigers. Seemed a better format.
It sounds to me that we need to have vocal support on the 19th and pray that the other team from the SC is stronger than the side from the NC. That way we could get a final at the Stoop.
Shame about the date as I will not be here then
I've just noticed this, but 2 May is a Sunday. So is the final on Monday 3 or Sunday 2 May?
Is the final likely to be an afternoon or evening kick off - I will be off on my travels during the evening?
Never mind the bloody final.
Are the A team playing a home semi at the Stoop on April 19th?
Are the A team playing a home semi at the Stoop on April 19th?
Offie site shows Quins A v Wasps A on Monday 19th, at the Stoop, which I assume is the last league game. The next fixture shown is the "final" on 3 May but Dippy's note shows semi on 26 April. Alas can't make semi or final but will be there Monday. Unless Wasps like LI and Gloucester decide not to turn up.
All a bit confusing. The GP offy has a fixture list which excludes the semis but also an article (click here)
saying they're on.
Also confirms dates. Final Monday May 3rd (bank holiday)
Saints offy, despite them being second in the northern A league group and a chance of staying there and so in a semi-spot says their A team's season finished last night with a friendly v a Russian side.
saying they're on.
Also confirms dates. Final Monday May 3rd (bank holiday)
Saints offy, despite them being second in the northern A league group and a chance of staying there and so in a semi-spot says their A team's season finished last night with a friendly v a Russian side.
It's a shame that some teams don't take the A League seriously but then again the way it is organised and publicised by the authorities seems pretty poor too.
I am very glad that we are one of the teams that has always taken it seriously
I am very glad that we are one of the teams that has always taken it seriously
Well said Prof. It seems to be neither one thing nor the other at the moment - equal arguments for scrapping it or beefing it up.
Saints next season are reducing their squad by 3 down to 31 from 34 (Tonga'uhia?!) so I guess they might too be paying less attention to the A league, or at least not being so competitive. Which will be a pity as with crowds between 750 and 1000 for Monday evening games at Northampton its obviously a crowd puller as well as anything else.
Far more important is giving the academy's players a tournament to get that match practice and competitive edge in. English rugby will be much poorer if that disappears and isn't replaced with something that gives those players outside the matchday 22 game time and the desire to win.
So - are there semis or not??!!
Saints next season are reducing their squad by 3 down to 31 from 34 (Tonga'uhia?!) so I guess they might too be paying less attention to the A league, or at least not being so competitive. Which will be a pity as with crowds between 750 and 1000 for Monday evening games at Northampton its obviously a crowd puller as well as anything else.
Far more important is giving the academy's players a tournament to get that match practice and competitive edge in. English rugby will be much poorer if that disappears and isn't replaced with something that gives those players outside the matchday 22 game time and the desire to win.
So - are there semis or not??!!
Yes - when are the games?
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:04:13:22:22:22 by DOK.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:04:13:22:22:22 by DOK.
Agree with Prof and Corny - I enjoy the A games and supporting members of the squad and academy who don't otherwise get to play any or many games in front of the supporters. A games give game time to less regular players who may get called up for 1st XV games maybe at short notice - I think they've helped the confidence of players like Clegg and George Lowe for example.
Saints A side was impressive last season - would be nice to have the chance to reverse that result this year...
Saints A side was impressive last season - would be nice to have the chance to reverse that result this year...
The A league should be far more heavily promoted. At Quins there's been the chance to see - from memory - Brown, Robshaw, Guest, Mehrtens, Gomarsall play for us and the likes of Cipriani and Farrell play against us - all in front of less than 1000 people with a very 'traditional' rugby feel. One of my best rugby memories is seeing Brown play and being convinced he'd play for England within a few years.
The game should be able to promote this. GP clubs should be encouraged/forced to take it seriously. The likes of Gloucester turning up with a team based on Moseley (?) seconds shouldn't be acceptable.
The game should be able to promote this. GP clubs should be encouraged/forced to take it seriously. The likes of Gloucester turning up with a team based on Moseley (?) seconds shouldn't be acceptable.
Why?
I go to A team games, and I enjoy them but they are no more than glorified friendlies, in the scheme of things they don't matter and they never will. I would rather see us lose an A team game 37-35 than win 6-3,a good game is more important than the result.
Young players are better off being loaned out to clubs like Esher etc where matches are competitive.
I go to A team games, and I enjoy them but they are no more than glorified friendlies, in the scheme of things they don't matter and they never will. I would rather see us lose an A team game 37-35 than win 6-3,a good game is more important than the result.
Young players are better off being loaned out to clubs like Esher etc where matches are competitive.
I think with squad sizes being reduced and academy players called on more often, these A league games will only grow in importance. It can be no coincidence that we take these games seriously and now have so many academy players, or younf players we've brought in and developed, starting in our 1st XV.
Obviously dual registration is also important, but I really enjoy the A games and think they must be enormously helpful to the players coming through
Obviously dual registration is also important, but I really enjoy the A games and think they must be enormously helpful to the players coming through
Quote:HSBC
Why?
I go to A team games, and I enjoy them but they are no more than glorified friendlies, in the scheme of things they don't matter and they never will. I would rather see us lose an A team game 37-35 than win 6-3,a good game is more important than the result.
Young players are better off being loaned out to clubs like Esher etc where matches are competitive.
To the players, they matter. To the fans, they matter (except you, seemingly). And I'd bet that you can't find a player in any of those games who isn't "competitive". They are professionals, and they take the game seriously.
Surely it's better to give the players a chance to play alongside each other competitively than playing at the likes of Esher etc isn't it?
The games do matter but obviously not to the same extent of the GP/ERC ones so players are also more likely to play with a bit more flair so you do get more tries scored and in some ways they are more entertaining that 1st team games for that very reason
The games do matter but obviously not to the same extent of the GP/ERC ones so players are also more likely to play with a bit more flair so you do get more tries scored and in some ways they are more entertaining that 1st team games for that very reason
But thats just it Prof, a lot of A teams are players from all over, and playing together doesn't mean a thing.
I ? whether they are truly competitive, as you said players throw the ball about more, kick fewer penalties at goal, yes I agree the players don't want to lose, but you don't see the celebrations for a try you see in the GP, that says a lot about how keyed up the players are.
I maintain A team is more about playing well, than winning.
I ? whether they are truly competitive, as you said players throw the ball about more, kick fewer penalties at goal, yes I agree the players don't want to lose, but you don't see the celebrations for a try you see in the GP, that says a lot about how keyed up the players are.
I maintain A team is more about playing well, than winning.
It would obviously improve if all clubs took it seriously.
That said, one would expect players who want to get into first XVs to go for a few more 'flair' moments. At the end of the day, finishing bottom of your group in the A league doesn't see a multi-million pound business relegated, so there will be a difference.
That said, one would expect players who want to get into first XVs to go for a few more 'flair' moments. At the end of the day, finishing bottom of your group in the A league doesn't see a multi-million pound business relegated, so there will be a difference.
And it's against Leeds who finished second behind Leicester in the Northern table. So Sarries will play Leicester away
Let's hope it's us v Sarries in the final - as they would be at home perhaps they can organise another trip to Wembley, but this time without Right Said Fred....
Quote:The Prof
Surely it's better to give the players a chance to play alongside each other competitively than playing at the likes of Esher etc isn't it?
What a very unpleasant remark.
I think playing for their loan clubs gives players invaluable experience against older and more grizzled players. And next season even more so at Esher in the Chamionship.
Take Joe Marler as one example - it's unlikely he'll see much first team action at Quins next season (I'm guessing), although I hope he gets several games... however, if he continues at Esher he will be playing at a significantly higher level than this season. Great for his development.
Take Joe Marler as one example - it's unlikely he'll see much first team action at Quins next season (I'm guessing), although I hope he gets several games... however, if he continues at Esher he will be playing at a significantly higher level than this season. Great for his development.
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