Rollercoaster rugby weekend for Quins

IT was again a rollercoaster of emotions at Harlequins Rugby Club this past weekend as the hunt for knockout places continued against South Coast Warriors, but equally important it was also an opportunity to honour one of the club’s greats – Ronnie Haarhoff.

Ronnie played a colossal role in establishing Harlequins on the KZN rugby map.

It was great to see so many people there to honour a player, father and friend. Everyone sharing their admiration for a very special man. He will be missed for sure but never forgotten.

The 2nd team kicked off the day and the travelling visitors from down the coast were soon under pressure when scrumhalf Chris Schulenburg crossed over for his try in the 14th minute.

Warriors were trying to make full use of the strong wind at their backs and were rewarded for their sustained pressure via a penalty after Marlin Wilson made a cracking, try-saving tackle. This kicked the home team into gear and Danie Le Roux scored under the poles for Quins after a darting run and caught the visitor’s defense on the wrong foot. Danie has become somewhat of a try-scoring machine this season and long may this continue. Hooker JJ vd Westhuizen kept the opposition busy all afternoon and added another try for the home side after another strong run. At the oranges, the score led 19-3 and with the strong wind at their backs in the second half, all was going well for the home side.

The 2nd half never reached great heights as the match was sealed early on when Dylan Mason playing at centre after a late withdrawal, crossed over for the fourth try and thus secured the win and bonus point. New boy Marais Singleton had a solid game at fullback and outsprinted the defence on the final whistle to take the score to 33-3. It was by no means a great performance after a layoff, but a win is a win and the seventh win of the season takes the side up to third on the log and on the brink of qualifying for the knockouts. Man of the match awards went to Markus van Wyk and Rouche Kleynhans.

The first team came out determined to make up for their shock loss against the ever-improving Ballito side two weeks ago. South Coast Warriors also suffered a defeat to Hillcrest in their last outing and this made for a mouth-watering match-up. A minute of silence was held before the match when the late Ronnie Haarhoff’s wife Ria and his brother Koos Haarhoff received a plaque from Harlequins Rugby Club.

The teams got the match off to a cracking start as both teams were determined to get the ascendancy early on. It was however Warriors with the strong wind at their backs that opened the scoring in the 10th minute and then crossed over for another four minutes later to take command of the match early on. The home side’s defense was a little in sixes-and-sevens and they conceded a third try 10 minutes later to find themselves 19-0 down. Captain Riaan Nel then rallied his troops and the Mighty Quins started their comeback and with their play showing more continuity and rhythm, the visitors were less dominant.

The home side managed to shut the visitors out until the break and with the wind getting stronger, there was a quiet optimism among the home support.

The second half started with a bang when winger Carl Donovan found some space after two minutes into the half and outsprinted the defense with great determination. Captain Riaan Nel having another cracking game again, soon added another and with their tails up, the Quins boys were eager to keep up the pressure. The match fizzled out a little as the eagerness from both teams seemed to cause numerous errors and break the flow of the game. With the match coming to an end, it was Warriors stalwart Juan van der Berg that forced his way over to seal the win. Harlequins weren’t done though when stand-in prop Dillon Fouche went over for his well-deserved try.

It was another loss of 26-19, but when the team plays like this, it bodes well going forward. They still have a chance to make the knockouts. Man of the match awards went to Dillon Fouche and Riaan Nel.

This week wees the Mighty Quins travel to Hillcrest on Saturday and the club looks forward to positive results next week. It has been a rebuilding season for the Mighty Quins and there is much to look forward to.