Team:
Charlie Henare, Hayden Bell, Aaron Elliott, Patrick O'Sullivan, Taylor Rae, Trevor Attwood, Drew Bootten, Daniel Popping, Nathan Bonnar, Christopher Lord, Daniel Henderson, Devon Toa, Jordan Harmer, Taylor McGuire, Huw Elias, Ben Plumtree, Andrew Rutherford, Sahn Povey.
Reserves:
Shaun Walker, Riki Wathne, Musika Manutai
NZ Harleqiuns U19s opened their 2014 campaign with a preseason warmup match against an U18 Counties side. The Harlequins have had a trial match and 4 trainings leading into this match.
The Counties U18 side kicked off at Fraser Tech Rugby Club’s home ground on Mill Street, with the Harlequins playing into a strong wind. Counties applied a lot of pressure in the first 10 minutes, especially around the ruck area. Counties 2nd five cut through a gap and scored first under the goalposts on the 7 minute mark Counties converting their try. After 10 minutes the Harlequins were awarded a penalty 30 metres out in front, which Harlequins 1st five Christopher Lord kick over for 3 points.
At the 15 minute mark, the Harlequins forwards built up a series of phases and Charlie Henare went down the blindside flicking a back hand pass back inside to the Harlequins Hooker Hayden Bell who went over for a try in the left hand corner, which went unconverted. Just before half time Harlequins 2nd five Devon Toa received the ball form a kick and chase, passing it back inside to winger Daniel Anderson and scoring in the left hand corner. Conversion was unsuccessful, the Harlequins leading 13-7 at the half time break.
The Harlequins started strong in the first half, pounding the Counties line until loosehead prop Charlie Henare burrowed over for a try, just to the right hand side of the posts. Christopher Lord converting to make it 20-7 to the Harlequins. After a midfield break, the Harlequins back line shifted the ball wide to Daniel Anderson to score in the left hand corner in the 38minute. The try was unconverted score 25-7. In the 55th minute ill discipline cost Harlequins Prop Charlie Henare 10 minutes in the bin for striking. The Harlequins regrouped with a man down and struck back through a series of rucks and No. 8 Daniel Popping going over for a try, the conversion was unsuccessful.
Harlequins midfield Devon Toa and Jordan Harmer continued their good form and both crossing the line late in the game, Devon Toa converting Jordan’s try, bringing the final score to 42-7.
Replacements in the second half:
Ben Plumtree at Half time for Hayden Bell, Shaun Walker for Nathan Bonner, Riki Wathne for Christopher Lord, Sahn Povey for Patrick O’ Sullivan.
