1st Grade

Unfortunately the 1st Grade team had a hard loss against Melbourne on Saturday 6-10. Endeavour and effort could not be questioned, option taking and variety in attacking options could be though.

Running into a gale force wind Melbourne scored early with a penalty which was quickly answered by ourselves with a penalty goal. The team then controlled the ball well running into a strong breeze and provided stoic defence to hold Melbourne at bay whilst rarely getting out of our own half. Along with some scrambling defence, we went to the half at 3-3 with the gale at our back in the 2nd half.

We were able to gain field advantage for the majority of the 2nd half, but could not break through for the score. Melbourne too offered some fantastic defence during the entire 2nd half. We finally gained a penalty goal with 15mins remaining to take a 6-3 lead, but Melbourne hit back immediately with a try in their first venture for the half into our territory. For the last 10minutes Quins bombarded the Melbourne try line – seemingly scoring twice for the referee to state that we were short on both occasions.

2nd Grade also loss on the weekend to the undefeated Melbourne 2nd Grade team – though also remain in 2nd spot. 3rd Grade also had a loss and still sit in 5th spot and starting to lose touch with the top 4. Colts had the BYE and remain in 2nd position. 

2nd Grade

2nd place Harlequins came up against the top team Melbourne in which was always going to be a tough game. The match however was not help by the fact that there was a very strong breeze blowing straight down the field.

Melbourne started with the breeze and both teams took a while to settle into the game. Melbourne opened the scoring with a penalty. Harlequins were able to work their way up the field but struggled to hold onto the ball for a number of phases. Melbourne with the wind at their backs could quickly put Harlequins under pressure and from this pressure they were able to score a try and take a 10 – 0 lead into half time.
Harlequins need to make a good start in the second half, however early on they were soon caught short on the blind side which Melbourne used to their advantage and scored. Extending their lead to 17 – 0. Finally Harlequins were able to put Melbourne under some pressure which resulted in a try to Edwin Lusala in the corner. Emil Vartazarian made a great conversion in tricky conditions. The game then went from end to end as Melbourne held onto the ball for large periods of time and Harlequins struggled to use the wind well. Both teams had tries disallowed and then nearing the end of the match, Harlequins had Jeremy Raymond sin binned for repeat infringements. With a depleted scrum Melbourne were able to score a push over try and eventually run out winners 22 -7.