Team:
Sanalio Taunauta, Thomas Dickson , Kuli Kaituu, Aaron Preest, Timothy Amai, James Parton, Travis Williamson, Sam Bowley, Nicholas McCurran , Logan Allen , Jerome Nonoa, Josh Young, Herewini Barlow, John Vanderwee, Regan Osborne.
Reserves:
Bailey Oliedam, Taylor Hayes, Cameron Petch, Zach Cathcart, Zach Bell, Jordan Plamer.
This week the Harlequins had their first home game at St Pauls against North Harbour. North Harbour had been pushed hard the week before just going down to King Country by one point. The Harlequins boys had trained well all week preparing for the battle on Saturday. The Harlequins kicked off on a cloudy day at St Pauls Collegiate in Hamilton. Straight away there was attack after attack from both teams as they tested each other out. Both teams settled into the game, making breaks up and down the field until the Harlequins were caught offside and North Harbour were given a penalty 35 meters out from the Harlequins posts. Harbour missed the kick but applied more pressure drilling the ball into the corner. The Harlequins dug deep and managed to work their way back up field. A lineout was formed on the Harlequins 22 and after the throw was not straight North Harbour took the scrum. More pressure was applied until Harbour was given another penalty on the left hand side of the field but missed again. From the 22 kick off the Harlequins retain the ball and set off up field cutting though Harbours defence making good ground before being cut down just short off the Harbour line. In went the Harlequins forward pack but knocked the ball on. From the Harbour scrum Jerome Nonoa charged down the kick and Sanalio Taunauta was on hand to score. The try was unconverted. After a very good take from the kick off by lock Aaron Preest the forwards set a good platform for the backline and they took the opportunity to go wide finding holes in the Harbour defence and making good ground well into Harbours half. The ever present loose forward trio who were on hand again made the most of it with even more meters before being pulled down around the Harbour 22. Harbour reached in and tried to secure the ball but knocked it on giving the Harlequins a scrum 8 metres out from there line. From the scrum Harlequins No 8 Sam Bowley showed his strength and power, pushing the harbour defence aside and crashing over beside the posts. Regan Osborne kicked the conversion. Another good take form the kick off and the Harlequins were off again but this time were caught in mid field and due to the lacked of support over the ball they gave away a penalty for holding on. This resulted in a penalty for Harbour which they got. Harbour had most of the play for the next 5 minutes and were rewarded with another penalty straight out in front which they also kicked. The whistle went for half time with the Harlequins just ahead 12-9.
The second half started much like the first with both sides using every opportunity they could to make the most of some good ball from their forward packs. The crowd would have been happy with the free flowing rugby both sides were putting on for them. It was a small but loyal crowd watching. Three minutes into the second half Harbour was awarded a penalty on the 10 metre mark but just pushed it wide. After the 22 drop out Harbour put together some sharp backline moves and scored a great try in the 38th minute. This time the conversion was successful. The Harlequins must have started to think they weren’t going to get there hands on the ball because two minutes later Harbour scored again. The try went unconverted. The Harlequins changed it up kicking deep and applying plenty of pressure before John Vander was rewarded with an outstanding try. This was not converted. The Harlequins seemed to be in the zone now and again after some very good team work up the guts of the field Jerome Nonoa went over for the Harlequins fourth try of the day. Regan stepped up and slotted the conversion. North Harbour made the most of some good ball from their forward pack and turned the Harlequins boys inside out before getting a penalty which they missed. But they weren’t to wait long and were rewarded 7 minutes later with another very good try. This was also unconverted. But now North Harbour was in front 26 points to 24. The next 15 minutes both teams played some fantastic rugby giving the crowd plenty to cheer about. Time was drawing to an end and 5 minutes before fulltime the Harlequins were awarded a penalty 45 metres out. Regan Osborne stepped up for the match winner but it wasn’t to be. The kick missed. Only 4 minutes left in the match and everything to play for the Harlequins were running out of time. But right on the stroke of fulltime Harbour was caught offside and the Harlequins were given a penalty 5 metres in from touch 35 metres out on the right hand side of the field. This was it, time was up the game was over everything hung on this kick. Up stepped Harlequins fullback Regan Osborne who had moved to first five during the game. He nailing the match winner straight down the middle. The ref then called time, Harlequins winning 27 points to 26.
