Belfast Harlequins RFC Notes: U17 I XV 31 v Ards RFC U17 I XV 7

Great team performance secures a convincing 5 try win

For coaches it is always pleasing to see the work that has gone into training come together on match-day. And for players there is nothing more inspiring than your captain leading from the front.
We witnessed both last night at Deramore against a fired-up & physical Ards team.

Once again captain Josh Barr set the standard by tackling everything that moved, making the hard yards & helping himself to two tries.
While Quins spent most of the opening quarter in their own half the defence was solid. Their first real foray into the opposition 22 led to the opening try.
A great lineout take by Curtis Brady set up a driving maul, then following a series of drives Kevin McMahon crashed over the line. Hugo Strutt kicked the conversion.
To their credit Ards responded immediately with a converted try to draw level but Quins took the game straight back to the opposition. The second try went to Josh after another mighty passage of play from the pack & Hugo stepped up to add the extras.

Half time 14-7

Out Half Ollie had to leave the field following a late challenge & was replaced by Peter McGinnity but Quins play was not disrupted.
Josh pounced on a loose ball to score his second try of the game closely followed by a fourth for the team courtesy of Hooker Simon Watters.
At this point Ards were running out of steam but Quins kept up the pressure & replacement wing Alan Burns scored a fine try in the corner to secure the result.

All 18 players fronted up & put in a huge effort, contributing to a great team performance
After the game Branch referee Stephen Robb complimented our players on their attitude & behaviour throughout this hard fought game.

Next up is Ophir on Wednesday 19th December.

Harlequins (1-15): Warren McNeely, Simon Watters, Stewart Faulkner, Kevin McMahon, Pearse McCormick, Ryan Burke, Curtis Brady, Josh Barr, Niall Devlin, Ollie Snape, Darragh McGuigan, Fil Zawislak, Hugo Strutt, Stephen Langan,
Chris Moohan
Replacements: Peter McGinnity, Alan Burns, Conor Hughes

By Michael Millar