Quins rugby 2nd team qualifies for knockouts
The second half saw Dillon Fouché score early on for the second week in a row from the front row and then the match took a turn for the worse as the standard and discipline dropped.
THERE was some good news for Harlequins Rugby Club as the second team qualified for the 2015 knockouts.
Their hard fought 17-14 over an energetic UKZN side secured their 8th win of the season and third spot on the log.
The 1st team found themselves playing for pride and UKZN for 1st division survival, but Quins went down 15-5 in a game that started with great promise but fizzled out into evening star-light the longer it went on.
On a cool Thursday evening, there was plenty at stake for the Mighty Quins’ seconds as they had to win to secure their place in the knockouts. UKZN played with all their heart and it turned out to be an entertaining match to watch, with UKZN doing most of the running early on. It was Harlequins that opened the scoring when 8th man Richard Venter celebrated his return to the starting line-up with a neat try after 15 minutes. Flyhalf Rouché Kleynhans converted from out wide.
UKZN were not to be outdone and scored their opening try five minutes later and soon after took the lead when JP Pieterse at flyhalf kicked the first of his three penalties. With Quins trailing 8-7, their pack sprang into action and through sustained pressure, flanker James McFadden who had an outstanding match, barged over to put Quins back into the lead. JP Pieterse kicked another and the teams went into the break at 14-all.
The second half saw both teams giving it their all as they searched for the winning points in a close encounter. Many chances were squandered throughout the half as both conceded many handling errors. It was however captain courageous Gavin McArthur that rallied his troops through the tough circumstances and Rouché Kleynhans stepped up, held his nerve and slotted a crucial penalty seven minutes from time that proved to be the match-winning points. Final score 17-14 and through to the knockout quarter finals on 15 August. Man of the match awards went to James McFadden and Siyanda Madlala.
The 1st team found themselves in a position where they had nothing to play for but pride while their opposition played to avoid a possible promotion/relegation play-off match. UKZN were by far the hungrier side and were good value for their halftime lead of 15-0. The two tries conceded in the last eight minutes of the half proved decisive as the home team threw their bodies on the line at every breakdown.
The second half saw Dillon Fouché score early on for the second week in a row from the front row and then the match took a turn for the worse as the standard and discipline dropped. It also saw a few scuffles and the ref sent a UKZN player and two Quins players for early showers. The last few minutes clearly showed two teams at the end of a long season. UKZN held out and the win secured them their spot in the first division league for 2016. Man of the match awards went to Jason van Eeden and JP Roetz.
Work has already begun in preparation for the 2016 season and with the foundations laid this year, an exciting 2016 season is already on the cards. Harlequins thanks all their supporters for their continued support through a difficult league season. To the players who gave it their all and to the wonderful committee supporting the teams and club, Quins also thanks you – without you there would be no Mighty Quins.
