Team:
Alex Mithell, Curtis Rountree, Mikaere Manuao, Shneil Singh, Josh Reynolds, Daniel Thornton, Liam Fisher, Thomas Williams, Jonah Haycock, Dominic Clapcott, Liam Foley, Luke Arnold,Bryce McMullen, Jack Foster, Hone Karaka.
Reserves:
Lisiate Sole, Thomas Gordon, Micah Aish-Gillard, Ben Brady, Daniel James, Ifalemi Finau, Spencer Jones.
This week the Harlequins played their last game of the 2014 season against Thames Valley in Paeroa. The Harlequins had a short training run on Tuesday and Thursday and weren’t pushed too hard so that they were fresh leading into the game.
Family and friends turned up for the last game of the year. It took both teams 5 minutes of play to settle and play was a little scrappy. Once the nerves were out of the way the Harlequins begun to put the points on the board. Firstly with a try to Jack Foster then 3 minutes later Hone Karaka followed by Bryce McMullen who got his first of the day. Dominic Clapcott playing at first five got one of the conversions.
The Harlequins then cut lose again after some strong running in midfield. Bryce McMullen was on hand again and shows his pace to beat the defence and go over again for his second try. The conversion was missed.
Four minutes later the outstanding loose trio for the Harlequins then found gaps in the Thames Valley backline managing to get over the advantage line before linking well again with the outside backs and guess who was on hand again to go over for his third of the day. Bryce McMullen scoring his third try. The conversion was also missed.
From the kick off Valley knocked on and gave the Harlequins a scrum mid field 35 out from there line. The man who has lead this Harlequins side so well this season got his hands on the ball and set himself up for the try line managing to outpace the defence before going over for try number six. The conversion was missed.
From the kick off Luke Arnold who was playing at second five and having an outstanding game both on attack and defence used his power to break the Valley back line again before sending the ball wide. The control up front from the Harlequins pack was proving difficult at times for Valley and two minutes later Liam Fisher who has been outstanding at 7 showed his class going over for try number six. Dominic got the conversion.
With time up in the first half the Ref blew his whistle with the Harlequins up 39 - Nil.
With only 35 minutes to go in the Harlequins 2014 season, coaches Logan Asplin, Ray Stowe and Paul Nathan made plenty of changes just after half time giving everyone a run.
The Harlequin boys had made the most of the second half all year and two minutes into it Daniel James went over for the first of the second half. Dominic got the conversion.
As all the changes were made the game slowed for ten minutes while everyone settled in then out of nowhere Curtis Rountree (Albert) showed his pace,speed and skills to run 70 meters before scoring under the post. Spencer Jones got the conversion after replacing one of the Harlequins best this year first five Dominic Clapcott.
It was time for both teams to empty out the bench. Valley was starting to string passes together and looking good as there players from the bench were making a difference. The impact players were making the most of their opportunities and were rewarded when they crossed for their one and only try of the day. They got the conversion.
From the kick off the Harlequins showed there class and skill again rolling the Valley pack before sending the ball wide to their flying backs. They set ten meters out as the forwards went about their business. Liam Fisher did what any good number 7 should popping out of a ruck and scoring try number 10 for the afternoon. The conversion was successful. Two minutes later Thomas Gordon show his pace and skills beating the Valley defence and running away to score try number 11. Spencer got the conversion.
Valley weren’t about to give up and pushed the Harlequins boys all the way. But again the Harlequins were just too good as they put Daniel Thornton away for try number 12 and their last try of the 2014 season. Spencer finished the season off well with the conversion and the Ref blew the whistle on another outstanding year for the NZ Harlequins winning 72 points to 7.
