Team:
Wade McLean – Te Huia, Jack Munce, Mark Tyrell, Lui Finau, Mason Nestor, Jared Newing, Nathan Sunde (c), George Forster, Dylan Bower, Josh O’Flaherty, Luke Masirewa, Jono Feast, Josh Gascoigne, Chad Bracey, Keagen Faria
Reserves:
Mitchell Hansen, Kereti Tonga, Brodi McCurran, Isaac Van der Valk, Josh Fawcett, Gary-Jack Gibb, Latrell Tither
The first half began with the Harlequins dominating both territory and possession with a relatively strong wind at their backs in splendid conditions at Rhodes Park.
First five Josh O’Flaherty marshalled the troops around the field with strong organisation and a raking boot to put pressure on the Thames Valley side. The home side gave away a number of penalties at the break down and O’Flaherty was on hand to kick two early penalties in the first half.
Shortly after once again being parked in Thames Valleys territory maintaining possession through some strong attack structure and powerful ball carries from the forwards the Harlequins unleashed their potent backline in a swopping open side attack. Although the move wasn’t executed as planned the bounce of the ball went the Harlequins way as centre Josh Gascoigne gathered the ball 30m out and ran clear to the line for the first try of the day. O’Flaherty added the extra points to put the visitors up 13-0.
Thames Valley through their physical forward pack muscled their way back into the game and with a sustained period of possession and ill discipline from the Harlequins pack allowed them a lineout 10m from the opponent’s line. The home side used the drive from the lineout well all day and laid a solid platform before keeping the ball close to the ruck and eventually burrowed their way over for a late try. The try went unconverted.
Into the wind in the second half the Harlequins side knew they would be up against it so came out firing and full of confidence. Due to the wind the first scorer of the second half would go a long way to securing the game. After sustained pressure for the first 5 minutes of the half powerful loose head prop Wade McLean-Te Huia barged his way over from close range to give the Harlequins a 13 point lead.
The rest of the half was dominated by the Thames Valley forward pack laying down a strong foundation from their lineout and making inroads into the Harlequins half through strong midfield play. The Harlequins side must be credited for their terrific and determined goal line defence, fending away wave after wave of Thames Valley attack. Captain Nathan Sunde was influential in this period, but it was a collective effort of all 22 Harlequin players who took the field to keep the home team from crossing the line.
