Team: Ihaka Mita, Hayden Bell, Reginald Matekohi, Angus Seddon(C), Benjamin Greene, Drew Booten, Matthew Staijen, Jarrod Gwynne, Conner Fullerton, Tipene Toi-Anscombe, Aaron Crow, Isaiah Cooper, Dylan Samson, Matthew Blackie, Brigham Parai,
Reserves: Marinus Du Preez, Piahana Astle-Harris, Atunaisa Katoa, Tyrin Cooper, Liam Robinson, Satoshi Filitonga, Brandon
The Harlequins side ran out for their first game of the season on a fine sunny day in Taupo. The boys enjoyed a three day training camp back in July and had four weeks of intense training leading up to this six week campaign.
On Friday the boys/management sponsors and supporters travelled to Taupo for their first outing stopping off at Huka Falls for lunch and to take in the sites of Taupo. They had a chance to relax at Taupo’s Top Ten Resort before heading to Owen Delany Park for a quite team run. Conditions were superb for free flowing rugby.
Play got underway on Saturday at 1pm and the Harlequins side began well stringing together a number of strong attacks in the King Country half within the first 10 minutes. They made a strong break down the right hand touch line and would have scored however the pass to Matthew Blackie was called forward. The King Country forward pack dominated for the next 15 minutes, unleashing their backs to score in the right hand corner. However missing the conversion.
The Harlequins side struck straight back after the kick off and after some very good ball skills Jarrod Gwynne crossed over the line for the first five pointer of the season. Tipene Toi-Anscmbe slotted the conversion to make it 7-5. The Harlequins then started to get on top, with some great set moves and running the King Country boys from side to side. As a result of plenty of pressure the King Country side gave away a penalty straight out in front of the posts. Tipene added the extras points to put the Harlequin side up 10-5 at the break.
Almost immediately after the kick off the Harlequins side camped down in the King Country 22, however this didn’t last long as King Country then took control for the next 10 minutes before crossing again for their second try. This must have sparked something in the Harlequins team because straight after the restart a well rehearsed move saw Atunaisa Katoa crash over to score a well deserved try in the 47th minute. Tipene missed the conversion but the Harlequins were now up 15-5. A quick tap resulted in Aaron Crow getting the ball and he dotted down in the 50th minute. Conversion missed, Harlequins up 20-5.
For the next 15 minutes the Harlequins started to run away with it scoring 3 more outstanding tries. Second 5/8 Isaish Cooper worked his magic crashing over the King Country’s try line. Replacement Halfback Liam Robinson got his chance, taking on the forwards to score a great try. Both conversions were just short.
Hard running midfielder Isaish Cooper got his second try from some great lead up and quick thinking from the Harlequins back line. Brigham Parai stepped up to take the conversion which he narrowly missed. Overall a great start to the Harlequins campaign.
