Team:
Joshua Kaho, Caleb Wallbank, Bradley Fountain, Daniel Preest, Lachlan Mcwhannell, Jacob Norris©, Paddy McLaren, Israel Immanueli, Momo Niwa , Liam Coombes-Fabling, Josh Coffin, Charlie Lawrence, Dwayne Hughes, Manaaki Heta, Johan Pio.
Reserves:
Liam Gilheany-Black, Hadley Morgan, Austin Pepperall, Sosia Fale, Joseph Ma, Xavier Row.
The Harlequins in their 4th game of the season went on the road to King Country to play the Under 18 team in what was a strong display of Heartland rugby at it’s finest; strong hits, strong running, great hospitality and great food.
The Harlequins started off with a bang 3 minutes into the game with Charlie Lawrence off-loading to halfback Momo Niwa to score a try under the post, the kick was good. KC brought hard hitting defence to the game, tackling strong and defending well, after putting a group of phases together and getting in to the Harlequins 22. They were unable to score a try, and the Harlequins were lucky that only a 3 point penalty was given away. The Harlequins were starting to get the ball rolling and hit back in the 26th minute with a beautiful switch move after setting the ruck, switching blind, and setting up fullback Johan Pio to score in the corner, the kick was converted. King Country scored just on half-time, with their fullback scoring in the corner after a beautiful fullback wrap off a dummy cut to score, 14-8.
The Harlequins started off the second half exactly how they had finished the first with strong defence and open running rugby. Prop, Austin Pepperell, crossed the line in the 9th minute after hitting a short ball off the ruck and muscling himself over the line.
The Harlequins got on the board again in the 20th minute with a push over try after an attacking lineout in the opposition’s 22.
In the 27th minute Xavier Roe scored the final try of the match after taking the ball off a ruck, splicing through a gap, fending the full back, and scoring under the post to make the scoring 33-8.
The boys would like to extended their thanks to King Country for the hospitality and the great game. We are looking forward to the final hit out of the season against the Thames Valley Under 18.
