Team:
Joshua Kaho, Caleb Wallbank, Bradley Fountain, Daniel Preest, Lachlan Mcwhannell, Jacob Norris©, Nathan Single, Israel Immanueli, Xavier Row, Liam Coombes-Fabling, Joseph Ma, Daniel Tau, Dwayne Hughes, Manaaki Heta, Johan Pio.
Reserves:
Liam Gilheany-Black, Matt Mauai, Austin Pepperall, Charlie Lawrence, Momo Niwa, Josh Coffin, Sosia Fale.
The Harlequins had their third game of the season against BOP. The sun was shining and it started of as a good day for footy. However, as the day progressed a nasty NE wind blew across the field. This set the scene for a great game that had great tactical kicking and a finish for the ages.
The Harlequins started strong with great off loads and strong running from Josh Kaho setting up Xavier Roe for the first try one minute into the game. The Harlequins continued their dominant scrumming, which has been one of the key strengths under forwards coach Paul Nathan, getting two tight heads as well as winning all of their own put ins during the first half. This pressure helped the Harlequins cross the line in the 15th minute with another try to halfback Xavier Roe scoring of the back of a scrum and Liam Coombes-Fabling converting the try. BOP hit back in the 20th minute with some brilliant individual play from their full back, stepping inside and cutting through the defence to score. The Harlequins continued to be dominate through spells, however the counter attack of the BOP Under 18 was rattling the cages of some of the boys. The Harlequins were able to hold on until the half-time whistle.
The Second half started a lot like the first, with the Harlequins and BOP trading position and strong defensive stands. With both teams putting everything into such a close game something was bound to crack, and that came in the 17th minute with BOP scoring in the corner from some slick back line moves in open play. The kick was missed.
A flurry of counter attack followed from BOP pushing the Harlequins and spreading them wide across the field. This pressure finally came to a head with the BOP side getting two penalties from their trips into the Harlequins half. This pressure was finally converted in to a try in the 24th minute with BOP scoring but missing the kick 25- 14. The Harlequins started to mount a comeback for the ages scoring in the 29th minute and bringing the score to 25-20. The Harlequins were then able to bring the attack to the BOP line for 3 minutes but giving credit to BOP they absorbed everything that was thrown at them. Holding on and winning the ball back to win the game.
