Last weekend saw the Harlequins U17 play Taranaki U18 at Albert Park in Te Awamutu.
The conditions were testing with a heavily sodden field, strong winds and driving rain. From the kick-off the Naki used the wind advantage driving the Harlequins back into their 22. The Naki applied the pressure and tested the Harlequins defensive structure. To their creit the Harlequins defence stayed resolute and after a long period of play managed to work their way down into Taranaki’s half. A Harlequins penalty kick into Taranaki’s 22 resulted in a lineout close to the Naki’s line. A strong drive off the lineout resulted in No 8 Lachie Finch dotting down to put Harlequins first points on the board. The try was not converted.
The Harlequins attack continued with some great forward drives pushing the Naki back into their 22. This was again rewarded when a pick and go from Lachie Finch got him over the Taranaki line for his second try of the match. Again the try was unconverted.
Taranaki fought back, again using the wind to get field advantage. Their commitment was rewarded when a back line move from a scrum put them across the line for their first points of the game.
The second half started with Taranki dominating play and the Harlequins failing to utilise the wind advantage. Taranaki applied the pressure and were again rewarded with a try to even up the scores.
With more than a little advice from the sidelines, Harlequins started to push the ball down into Taranaki’s half and making the Naki team run it out from their own 22. An arm wrestle then developed with both teams trying their arm in the difficult conditions. A Harlequins scrum in the Taranaki 22 resulted in replacement half back, Connor Downey, darting across to give the Harlequins the advantage once again. The try was unconverted.
The game continued with Harlequins dominating territory and Taranaki valiantly trying to run the ball out of their half. As the game was about to come to a close, replacement centre Valynce Te Whare picked up a loose ball from a ruck to score the final try of the match. The try was converted by Logan Karl.
