Team:
Austin Pepperal, Caleb Wallbank, Joshua Kaho, Daniel Preest, Hadleigh Morgan, Lachlan McWhannell, Jacob Norris, Patrick McCurran, Momo Niwa , Liam Coombes-Fabling, Manaaki Heta, Charlie Lawrence, Dwayne Hughes, Joseph Ma, Johan Pio.
Reserves:
Momo Niwa, Daniel Tau, Josh Coffin, Liam Gilheany-Black, Nathan Single, Sosaia Fale, Israel Immanueli.
The Harlequins finished their season playing in summer-like weather at Waikato Stadium against the Thames Valley Under 18s. This weather allowed a perfect ending to the season, providing excellent conditions to play rugby.
The Harlequins started off on the attack with Thames Valley under pressure from the outset. However a perfectly timed run from the Thames Valley fullback created a great opening try for the game, as he intercepted a pass and took off 60 meters to score in the corner. Thames Valley continued so show strong defence until the 17th minute when prop Austin Pepperal crashed over the line from a ruck to score, tying the game up at 5-5. The Harlequins started to turn up the heat and became more bold in their attacking jotting down again in the 20th minute after some crisp backline passing from one side of the field to the other, with Full Back Johan Pio Scoring in the corner. Johan got his second of the day in the 22th minute, right after the kick off from the try he scored, with some brilliant counter attack and superb passing. The gates started to open again in the 27th minute with some old school forward mauling from an attacking line out with Caleb Walbank scoring. Next came in the 30th minute with Standout lock Lachlan McWhannell scoring after a short ball bass from Charlie Lawrence. The final try of the half came by the way of Prop Josh Kaho after some passing through the backs and strong running by him to get over the line.
The Second half started much like the first half ended with the Harlequins pressuring the Thames Valley defence all over the field. The first try came to Joseph Ma 2 minutes into the half after some long range attacking from the Harlequins. Prop Austin Pepperal scored again 6 minutes into the half jotting down after a quick tap from Xavier Roe. The Harlequins were tested by some strong attack from Thames Valley and the Harlequins had to work hard to get the ball back. The turn over came in the 15th minute and Dwayne Hughes put points straight on the board.
In the 17th Minute Momo Niwa scored after some brilliant counter attacking from the Harlequins, with some great fends and strong cutback passing putting him over the line. The line was crossed again in the 21st Minute with Manaaki Heta scoring on the wing. Manaaki was able to bag his second not long after that with a perfectly timed pass from Dwayne Hughes, putting him in open space to run the full length of the field to score. The final try of the game went to Thames Valley after some great attacking back play helping them get right on the Harlequins 5m line and then pushing over to score.
The Harlequins under 17 have now concluded their season for 2015 and would like to extended their gratitude to all those who have help make this season a success; The Committee who make this happen, the Sponsors who provide the funds to make this happen, and the parents who supported the boys this year. We say thank you.
