Date: Sunday 4th April 2004
Harlequins Hold Out Against Avon
(Harlequin Ladies 29 – Avon Ladies 20)
Sunday saw a hard-fought victory for the Harlequin Ladies as they continued their challenge for the top of Division 1 South-West, writes Jo Everett.
In a game where the lead changed hands several times, Quins were slow to get started. Having received the kick-off, they were kept pinned in their own half by a determined Avon side. Harlequins slowly settled into the game and began to work their way into a better field position. Once in Avon’s twenty-two, Quins created the overlap they needed for outside-centre, Saskia Brazier-Kobus, to open the scoring for the home team.
Avon were quick to retaliate and equalised within minutes, thanks to the pace of their inside-centre.
Quins fought back again, forcing Avon into a more defensive game. The visitors’ defence was strong, but Harlequins played a patient game putting together several phases of play to suck in the Avon defence. Finally, fly-half, Dani Knight, was able to break through and restore Harlequins’ lead.
Once again, Avon fought back with a vengeance, pressurising the Quins defence and levelling the score again just before half-time.
The second-half continued with a similar pattern of play. Avon challenged hard in the breakdowns, disrupting Quins in the attack, but it was Harlequins who dominated the set-pieces, making it difficult for Avon to secure good possession. When Avon did have the ball in-hand, the strong running of their backs proved a real challenge for the Harlequin defensive line.
An early Avon lead in the second-half increased the pressure on Quins. The home team soon stole it back thanks to flanker, Chevonne Rennison, who powered through from a driving maul, and Knight who followed up with the conversion.
It was late in the second half when Quins stepped up a gear, scoring two tries in quick succession: A second from Brazier-Kobus and one from winger, Rachael Bullingham. Avon refused to give up on the game and scored again in the last few minutes, but Quins had now secured a safe lead and a valuable bonus point.
Next weekend, the Harlequin Ladies have a break from their league campaign, as they head off to Leiden in the Netherlands for their Annual Tour.
Want to get more Involved?
The Harlequin Ladies are always on the lookout for new players of all abilities, from the complete novice to those with years of experience. For younger players, the youth team caters for girls aged from 12 years old. The senior squad train at the Harlequins Club Ground on Wednesday and Friday nights from 7.30pm, and matches are played on Sundays.
We are also looking for new sponsors and can offer opportunities from match day sponsor to club sponsor. For more information, please contact us at quinsladies@hotmail.com |
