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Quintin 1XV Match Reports - 2012-2013 Season
15th Sept - Kilburn Cosmos (L-A) - 14-19 - LOSS
Report needed!
Tries: Petrie, ?
22nd Sept - Ickenham (L-H) - 50-10 - WIN
After a disappointing loss to Kilburn last week we turned up looking for a first win in the league and where better place to do it then at home with the 2nds playing opposite.
We started very strong with the forwards laying a great platform for running rugby with try's being scored all over the park by both the forwards and the backs many down to great support play. The score at the final Whistle was 50-10, great first home game of the season and another bonus point meaning we are up towards the top of the table.
Tries: Sanger, Petrie, Wixey, Ollie x2, Mike, Chesterfield.
29th Sept - Hillingdon Abbots (L-A) - 17-17 - DRAW
Following an impressive win against Ickenham the Q's firsts were looking to build and keep the momentum going.We expected a tough day up front as we had a scratch front row with Damo and Rob propping. The first choice back row of Mike, Charles and Tim would give their larger but less fit looking pack the run around however. On a good playing surface we knew that if we could go through a couple of quick phases with the forwards and then play it wide we would be able to stretch them.
As is customary we started asleep but only conceded an early penalty. Soon after, Sanger was able to slot a penalty in return. Both sides were getting pinged by a ref who was clear, but a bit particular about certain things. He clearly didn't realize that Olly has an amazing burst of speed and singled him out of offside repeatedly.
After adding another penalty we were starting to create a bit of pressure. Executing the simple game as we'd hoped. Scrummaging was going better than expected and we managed to get a couple against the head. Although Rob had to put up with being told about the finer points of binding correctly. Repeatedly!
However it was after a turn over and a scrappy ruck that we finally managed to pop it out and string it wide to Sanger who managed to beat his man and squeeze in to score in the corner. Half time and the score was 6-11 to us.
The second half and we were unable to secure and use possession consistently. Scrappy rucking up front and some poor handling out back started to give the Hillingdon Abbots the ball time they need to make pressure tell. Another couple of penalties from their kicker, who had a good boot on him, pushed them into the lead. They carried on this momentum and started making some in-roads with their forwards. Eventually they bullied their way over the line and their big man no. 19 scored. This put them up 17-11. At this point we looked disjointed and there was a bit too much f-ing and blinding at each other.
Fortunately some of this frustration was put to good use and we almost scored with a break, I think from Charles, that led to Pirate, I think, almost scoring but being just caught by the full back. Their 19 was then (finally) yellow carded for repeated infringements and we took the penalty. This blunted their forwards defence but we were unable to capitalise on the advantage fully. Again, some tired decisions and sloppy hands let us down. Instead of getting the overlaps it was scrum time or the ball being kicked back over to James or Nick retreating deep. We did force another penalty which Sanger hit to bring us up to 17 all. And that's how the game finished.
In reflection a draw away from home with a somewhat scratch pack and sub-par performance is a decent result, but it speaks volumes about how subdued we were at the final whistle. We've been expecting much harder opposition in this league than we've encountered so far (jinx) and we know that we could have easily won that game had we played near our best. The forwards could have fired as a unit more and operated in pods more effectively. Too often we were second to the ruck too. The backs have got much more skill than they displayed and will be looking to make amends before the hard ground goes away I'm sure!
We didn't get around to Man and girl of the match, but I'd say mentions for Rob manning up at tight head and running hard all day. Also to Sanger for scoring all our points and his boot keeping us in the game. Girl I'm going to give to Damo for dropping me in the line out and putting me out of the game! :) Oh, yeah and for the socks....
Well played anyway lads. There's a great atmosphere in the dressing room at the moment. Let's train right, get the small things right and get the tries on the board next week.
Tries: Sanger