1st GRADE

A very disappointing day on Saturday, a mix of over confidence and general apathy produced a 20-22 loss to Melbourne University. University, coming off a upset win against Souths started strongly from the kickoff which Quins fumbled and had us under pressure straight away and only some last gasp defensive efforts kept them out with them taking a 0-3 lead. Quins came back straight away with some decisive backline play using our set moves with Pana Ravouvou scoring in the corner to get a 5-3 lead. University hit back with a soft try, one simple missed tackle 50m out and their openside flanker went straight through to score with the scores at 8-5. The half was coming to an end, and though we had not played well we held University to 8-5 running into a stiff breeze – and then in the space of 5 minutes the game changed dramatically. Quins on the counter attack were deep in Uni field when a turnover and some sloppy pillar defence let Uni to breakaway and with one simple pass score a 75m try to go to the half 15-5 up.

With the wind at our backs the 15-5 was not a huge deficit if we played patient more committed rugby – well this didn’t happen. We rushed, and spread the ball sideways without going forward with the backs responsible for many silly passes, errors and lethargic sideways movement. A penalty in front of the posts 10m out saw a quick tap and expose a 5 on 2 – simple draw and give would of resulted in a try but a loose pass was collected by Uni and the player ran 90m to score to create a 22-5 scoreline.

The guys didn’t give up and came back with 3 tries, one on full time to make a 20-22 scoreline – we did have a conversion after the siren to level the match but it was from out wide and only just missed. Our goal kicking for the day was 0/5 – so this too was definitely a contributing factor though 4 of the kicks were definitely tough.

2nd Grade had a strong win against the 3rd place team Uni, winning 27-12 – 3rd continued their battle to make the 4 with beating the 2nd place Uni team 28-17 and our Colts had a great win beating again the 2nd place Uni team 35-24 to themselves take 2nd spot on the ladder.

2nd Grade

Once again Harlequins game against Melbourne Uni would have a large impact on the competition, with a win to Harlequins making them clear 2nd and a loss bringing them back level on the points table.

Harlequins started with a strong breeze at their back and were quickly into stride. Great forward work lead to a try to Greg Ellis as Harlequins tried to develop a large lead in the first half. Harlequins continued to control possession and after a good offload, Waisale Tuwai received the ball and ran around his opposite to score in the corner. Then soon after great forward play lead Harlequins next try, this time to Denis Sua, the conversion was also missed so the lead was only 15- 0 after 3 tries. Sua again stamped his mark on the game with a great long pass and then backed up to crashed over from close range. Leighton Norman added the conversion to give Harlequins lead 22 -0 at half time.

Melbourne Uni had all the work to do in the second half and were first to score to reduce the lead to 15 points. Harlequins continued to maintain possession and defend well and then from their own half made a break through Siof Tulanga. The ball again went to Tuwai who sprinted away to score. Harlequins continued to defend their lead and even a late try to Uni was all too late. All the damage had been done by Harlequins in the first half. Harlequins finishing winners 27 – 12.

Team points : 3 – Waisale Tuwai 2 – Denis Sua 1 – Jeremy Raymond