Match report 15 Jan Canes Tournament

15/01/2010

Match report 15 Jan Canes Tournament

In their first tournament of the New Year, the Harlequins made the short trip to Dubai without some of their key players. With Estelle and Rachel still out of town and Hillary out with a freak neck injury, the rest of the Quins seized the opportunity to step up their game and take on new roles.

Abu Dhabi vs. Sharjah Win 12-5

On a perfect day for rugby, the ladies began the day against a tough Sharjah line up. With players filling in at new positions (highlighted by Laura in at prop and showing her strength in scrums), the Harlequins were ready to prove the depth of their roster. Abu Dhabi showed their might on defense allowing little advancement from Sharjah. Sorrell and Jennifer led the pressured attack up the middle and were given excellent support from Laura and Michelle. The Harlequins were first to put points on the board after a pass from Sorrell to Jennifer who displayed her blazing speed passed the helpless Sharjah bench to score the first try of the match. Both teams demonstrated their brute strength in the scrums and play remained tight for most of the half. Sharjah tied things up at 5-5 before heading into half time. Sharjah came back out with intensity and moved up the field quickly. With Sharjah pressuring the try line, the Quins defense held strong and denied their efforts to score. Helen entered the game for Kellyann providing a much needed spark and fed the ball to Sorrell who went for a good run before being tied up by Sharjah players. With a quick pass to Emily, the Harlequins were back in good position in their own territory. Led by Sorrell’s hard tackling and Tiffany’s persistent support, the Harlequins remained strong and were rewarded with time winding down. Tiffany made a final run through traffic and used a perfectly timed pass to Emily who sealed the victory with the final try of the match. With Sharjah looking tired, the Harlequins focus on fitness in training clearly aided in the victory. Final score 12-5 Abu Dhabi.

Abu Dhabi vs. Doha Win 29-7

Prior to the next match, Coach Kevin set the agenda to “avoid contact and focus on passing the width of the pitch.” The starting line heeded his advice and quick passing from Tiffany to Laura to Kellyann and on to Helen led to the first try of the match. Solid tackling from Tiffany, Emily, and Kellyann kept constant pressure on Doha. In a great heads-up play Laura made Abu’s first interception of the day. While holding ground near their own try line, Emma put practice into action making a textbook pass while in contact. Doha was able to recover the ball, they would make little progress before Laura again intercepted a pass and wasted no time scoring the try. Lucy converted widening the lead to 12-0. Doha wasn’t ready to call it a day though, the Harlequins’ kick off was returned up the middle for Doha’s first try and conversion of the match. Not to be outdone, Emily demonstrated her speed and agility returning the following kick off for a try of her own. Passing was the name of the game in the first half and left the Quins with a considerable lead of 17-7. Doha came out looking for more contact in the second half and were met with the formidable forces of Sorrell and Jennifer. Their best effort, however, was chased down and stopped in her tracks by the speedy Laura. The Harlequins proved that the fundamentals were all they needed. Short runs, quick passes, and good support led to two more tries and a conversion for Jennifer. Final score 29-7 Abu Dhabi.

Finals Abu Dhabi vs. Dubai Hurricanes Loss 17-26

Led onto the pitch by captain-for-the-day Sorrell, the Harlequins presented themselves as measurable force to be reckoned with. The Hurricanes did not seem to notice, however, and wasted no time returning the kick-off up the left side, breaking through two Abu tackles to score the first try of the finals in a matter of moments. In what could have been a spirit breaker, the Hurricanes were quick to score again putting Abu Dhabi in a hole 0-14 with little time off the clock. But this is rugby, and these are the Harlequins and a little adversity will not stand in their way. On a line out, Tiffany made the quick pass to Jennifer who shipped the ball out to Sorrell who could (and did)...go...all...the....way! As great captains do, she picked up her team and put points on the board 5-14. Emily made a great tackle to stop the Hurricanes next attack. The Harlequins moved the ball across the pitch with great passing from Laura to Jennifer. While Jennifer was getting tied up in Hurricanes players, Michelle made her presence known coming out of nowhere to support the play and finish off the try. Score 10-14. With halftime nearing, Helen noted from the sideline that this match may be a “season swinger.” The second half saw intensity levels remain high for both teams. The Hurricanes scored first off a line out that saw the Harlequins lose Tiffany for the rest of the match after a ringing blow to the jaw. Lucy stepped in for her making strong tackles alongside Sorrell and Kellyann. Abu Dhabi stayed true to their game and kept the ball away from contact, shipping it out to the wings. The Hurricanes were not giving up and scored again. After Kellyann took a crushing blow, Helen subbed in for her. She led an inside attack with excellent passes and short runs setting up Jennifer for the final try and conversion of the match as time ran out. Although they did not come out with a win, the match may still have been a “season swinger” proving that they do not need single ‘stars’ to be successful, as together the Harlequins are an excellent team to be feared by the rest of the league.

Abu Dhabi player of the tournament – Jennifer ‘Shorty’ Matheson

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