1st Grade

What a finish to a game of rugby, a drop goal after the siren to win 23-20 over Power House.

A tough and entertaining game with each team having the upper hand at different times. Quins were timid early, and the defence line speed was disappointing allowing the Power House team to dictate the play. An early penalty gave us a 3-0 lead, which was followed with House having most of the play and a smart 60m try which was quickly followed by a penalty to give House a 3-10 lead. Quins lost playmaker Josh Moore 20mins into the game, and with 2nds flyhalf Nathan Redfern also injured, newly arrived Irishman Ian Cros was thrust into 1st Grade on his first day of the club (Ian was still suffering jet lagged having arrived Thursday). Quins then stepped into gear, and some individual brillance from John Iosefo produced a try under the posts to level things up. This was shortly followed by a penalty and another try to John Iosefo after some quick thinking from scrum half Brendan Goodwin taking a quick tap and setting Johnny free for a 30m run to the tryline. Quins went to the half 20-10 up and with the momentum.

The team started the 2nd half strongly and was looking a dominant team but could not put that final nail in the coffin. Just when it looks we would finally get the score to blow the game out, a quick turnover saw House go the length of the field which was also followed by a penalty to even the scores up at 20-20 with 15 minutes to play and House suddenly had all the momentum. Both teams had opportunities in the next 15 minutes, House missing 2 penalty shots and the final scrum of the day was set down in our defence 22 and it looked like a draw was inevitable. The ball was spread wide and again it was John Iosefo that made the initial bust out of the 22, then 9 phases later of patient play saw debutant Ian Cross slot a 35m drop goal to give Quins a 23-20 win with time being called immediately post the kick.

A great day for the club with a clean sweep in all grades; 2nd Grade won 29-12, 3rd Grade won 20-13 and Colts bounced back strongly beating the top team Melbourne Blue 27-17.

All teams are at Melbourne University this week with many Quins in town for the Bledisloe game so get along and catch up with old friends. The clubs also raised a total of $660 for the Cancer Council for the Call to Arms match.
 

2nd Grade

Harlequins made a slow start to the game making a number of errors. This allowed Power House down into their half and then some weak inside defence let them slip through and score under the posts. The early try kicked started Harlequins into gear as they began to put Power House under some real pressure. Harlequins then started turning this pressure in points with an impressive display of flowing rugby. Tries were scored by Emil Vartazarian, Reid Bradford, Richard Henderson and Waisale Tuwai. Harlequins took a comfortable 24 – 7 lead into half time.

In the second half the game started to lose it structure and become quite stop/start as both teams made began to make errors. Harlequins managed to score another try to Nathan Redfern but Power House who fought hard all day also scored a try. The final result was a win to Harlequins 29 -12.