In the front row, duties were shared by Chris Graham, John Andress, Conor Keown, Simon Shawe, Ian Waugh, Neil Hanna, Ben Hanvey, Bert McCausland, Jamie Kilbane, Ben Urquhart, Declan Fitzpatrick, William Tang and Mark Crothers. Between them these guys demolished most other sides. It is hard tnot to feel sorry for other 2nd teams when faced with Irish or Ulster props even when the 1stXV was playing.
The engine room, that place of athleticism, physicality and grace, was manned variously by Michael Graham, Pete Young, Keith Scott, Simon Crawford, Steven Robinson, Shane Malone and Philip Macklin.
The back row had a very good year. Turn overs and tackles were high, rampaging runs frequent and awesome and support never far away. Alec Smyth, David Dougherty, Stuart Lamb, Steven Minnis, Neil Hanna, Wayne Storey, Stephen Robinson, Mike Graham and Andy Dougan did all the damage.
Scrum half at this level is never easy. Michael Finlay, Michael Kirkwood, Sean Clancy, Michael Martin and Chris Lockhart all performed well while Jonny Lowe played his first ever game at scrum half on the 2s.
Outhalf duties usually fell to Gavin McLaughlin. Earlier in the season Chris Lockhart played before doctoring duties intervened and John Anderson starred before he bent his shoulder. Andy Park played in the run up to his nuptials.
The three quarter line varied a lot . A possibly non exhaustive list includes Mark Roberts, John Anderson, Johnny McClaughlin, Gavin McLaughlin, Chris Kitchen, Ricky Allen, Mike Kirkwood, Stephen Armstrong, Robbie Milliken, Colin Atkinson, Ryan Duffy, Ross Collins, Andy Lowe, Mark Scott, Anthony Best, Stuart Wilson and Greg Mitchell.
Fullback was usually the captain, Keith Pyper although Marc Kettyle sometimes substituted.
This list probably misses some players. The total players used in this list comes to 50. A great tribute to all of them and to the depth of talent in the club. If anyone palyed for the 2nds this season and has been left off, please contact someone on the web team.
While match reports for the 2ndXV rarely appear in the press and usually the players or managers do not bother it has been possible to record some of this season's games in print for posterity. The reports for the two cup finals are almost professional while the other games were covered by mostly willing volunteers.
McCrea Cup Final
(Report courtesy Of Richard Mulligan - Newsletter)
Cooke 9 Belfast Harlequins 29
BELFAST Harlequins gained revenge for their defeat by Cooke in 2003 with a comprehensive win in last night's McCrea Cup Final. A try-count of 5-0 was fully justified as the Quins pack dominated, while Cooke's best display came in defence. Quins' victory will be testament to coach, DC Gillespie's efforts and now hopefully he can steer the Under-20 side, whose players are regular seconds were rested last night, to All Irleand glory on Saturday.
Cooke had opened the scoring after five minutes with a well struck penalty by winger Andrew Hazard, but the Quins got good position with a teasing kick from outhalf Gavin McLaughlin. Nothing came off that attack, but another kick from McLaughlin gave the Deramore Park side a lineout 10 yards out and after three scrums, No 8 Stuart Lamb picked up and fed scrumhalf Sean Clancy who had the easy task of going over for the opening try. Centre and captain, Keith Pyper failed with the extras and Quins led 5-3.
Every Cooke sortie into their opponent's territory saw them opt for a penalty when the opportunity arose, and although all long-range efforts, Hazard landed one in the 24th minute having missed one three minutes earlier to nudge the Shaw's Bridge side 6-5 in front. But that was short lived, Quins forwards made in-roads again and after good pressure on the line, lock Keith Scott forced his way over for the try. Pyper landed a magnificent kick from the touchline to put the multi-coloured shirts 12-6 ahead after 31 minutes.
Cooke finished the half with a flurry, although there were that many knockons by both sides it was comical. Harlequins were deemed to have deliberately knocked-on and Hazard despatched the penalty to leave them three points adrift at the interval.
Five minutes into the second half, a lineout and superbly driving maul saw Quins' substitute prop, Rodney Mc-Gaughey, and openside loose, David Dougherty, go over, the latter claiming the touchdown to extend the lead to 17-9. Another driving maul in the 53rd minute set up the chance for a second Clancy try, which he took well, soaring through the gap having been given the perfect platform. Pyper added the extras.
Outhalf Jerome Muller attempted to put Cooke into position, but the Quins' counter-attack proved effective. The last quarter was, however, spoiled by poor handling from both sides and it was only when Cooke were down to 14 men - substitute Dougie Ferguson sin-binned - that their Belfast rivals eventually got on top of the stout defence.
A scrum and driving maul yielded an opportunity for Dougherty to take his second try and close the scoring at 29-9, Cooke battling bravely in injury time to attempt and cross for one try.
COOKE: T Murphy; R Bunn, J Murphy, B Bogle, A Hazard; J Muller, P Bennett; D Scott A Charters, J Bacon (capt), M McCollum, M Yates, H Khramer, P Shaw, M Fenton. Replacements: K McAllister (T Murphy 57), D Ferguson (Scott 57), A McKeen (Khramer 40), M Rainey, T Aldridge (McCollum 57). Sin-bin: Ferguson (72-82).
HARLEQUINS II: J McCaughran; R Collins, S Armstrong, K Pyper (capt), A Best; G McLaughlin, S Clancy; C Keown, N Hanna, I Waugh, K Scott, P Young, A Smyth, D Dougherty, S Lamb. Replacements: W Storey (Lamb 70), R McGaughey (Keown 40), B Mc-Causland (Hanna 64), M Martin (McCaughran 74), C Lockhart (McLaughlin 74).
Referee: Mark Hermin (Ballymena).
Millar McCall Wylie Junior Cup Final Ravenhill
1st January 2004
2nd XV vs. Dungannon 2
Result. Grafton Belfast Harlequins 2nd XV 29 Dungannon 2nd XV 14
Dungannon the holders of the Junior cup started the game with an impressive display of possession rugby which placed the cup holders well in control for most of the first half, but with little return in points on the board.
Harlequins defence held firm and they opened the score against the run of play with a well-taken penalty kick by Johnny McClaughlin. Dungannon replied with a penalty to equal the score after missing an easier attempt minutes earlier. Mark Bradley made up for his earlier misses when he sent Dungannon into the lead with another penalty.
Quins wasted most of the limited possession with many unforced errors, and could have gone into the lead had John Andress held on to the ball as he went for the line.
Quins were lucky to be only 6-3 down at the interval.
Half time score
Grafton Belfast Harlequins 3 Dungannon 6
The Harlequins management team talk transformed the team as Raker had done many times in the past when the former Collegians Captain held his inspirational warm ups/team talks in the packed Rolls Royce with the car heated going full blast.
Belfast Harlequins took the game to Dungannon with incisive forward drives and flowing back play with the mistakes and errors of the first half now well behind them. Six minutes into the half Harlequins started a good phase of play in their own 22 which Stuart Lamb finished of with a determined run from the 10 meter line beating of multiple tackles on the way to crash over for the first try of the game and put Harlequins back in the lead .
Johnny McClaughlin was successful with the kick to leave the score 10-6 to Belfast Harlequins. Michael Graham extended Quins lead in the 55 minute when he finished of another positive phase of running rugby with a well-executed try. McClaughlin failed with kick
Dungannon hit back almost immediately driving hard for the Harlequins line, which fortunately for Quins did not result in a try with the ball held up over the line. Dungannon sustained the pressure on the Harlequins line, which allowed Mark Bradley to win the touch down race to score a try after he had chipped the Harlequins back line with a neat kick. Kelso missed the conversion to leave the score at 15 -11
Dungannon pressure brought more success when Mark Bradley added another 3 points in the 64th minute to leave them one point behind at 15 -14. Harlequins did not panic and in the 68th minute Gavin Mclaughlin score the best try of the match showing excellent skill and individual brilliance when he his clever grubber kick split the Dungannon defence allowing him to run through and touch down at the side of the posts. J McClaughlin added the 2 points to leave the score 22-14.
Grafton Belfast Harlequins put both hands on the cup when Gavin Mclaughlin scored his second try of the match finishing of another well-worked team move three minutes from time to leave the final score at 29-14
Millar McCall Wylie match of the match --- Michael Kirkwood
Final Score (4 tries, 3 conversions) 1 penalty (J McClaughlin)
Tries: Gavin Mclaughlin (2), Michael Graham, Stuart Lamb
Team
15, Keith Pyper (Capt), 14 Ross Collins 13 J McClaughlin, 12 Chris Kitchen 11 Ryan Duffy 10 Gavin McLaughlin, 9 Michael Kirkwood, 8 Stewart Lamb, 7 David Doherty, 6 Alex Smyth, 5 Michael Graham, 4 Simon Crawford, 3 Chris Graham, 2 Ben Hanvey, 1. John Andress
Sub. S Robinson, Willie Tang, Stephen Minnis, Andrew Gillispie, Michael Finlay
4th October 2003 Deramore Park
2nd XV vs. Ballynahinch 2
Grafton Belfast Harlequins 2s 25 Ballynahinch 2s 5
Tries scored by A.Dougan 2,Gavin MCLaughlin 1,Keith Scott 1
Chris Lockhart 1 conversion and 1 penalty
A comfortable win for Quins in an error strewn game.Excellent mauling by the pack saw A Dougan score 2 tries –one early in the first half and another towards the end of the game.
Well worked tries early in the second half by G. McLaughlin and Keith Scott gave Quins a stranglehold on the match which they never relinguished. Early injuries to Keith Pyper and Andy Dougan reduced the teams ability to play as planned. However sound individual performances by backs and forwards provided far too much fire power for a disjointed B’Hinch team.
Ricky Allen sadly also finished the game injured .
Improved team performance will be needed against Banbridge next week and Ballymena the week after.
27th September 2003 Chambers Park Portadown
2nd XV vs. Portadown
Result. Grafton Belfast Harlequins 54 Portadown 0
The 2s travelled to Portadown to open this season’s Junior Cup campaign with 6 changes in the team from last week.
Late replacement from the 3rds Wayne Storey playing out of position on the wing opened the scoring after 5 minutes with a determined drive to the line to claim the first try for Grafton Belfast Harlequins
Quins monopolized the possession and the scores in the first half. They ran the ball from deep positions using their fast skilful three-quarters who keep the score ticking along at the rate of a point a minute.
Gavin McLaughlin, Michael Finlay, Robbie Milliken, Keith Pyper, all scored one try a piece. Ricky Allen who was having a superb match also picked up two in the first half.
Ben Hanvey caught a poor penalty clearance by Portadown in the 38 minute. He quickly flicked the ball to Stewart Lamb who burst through the Portadown defence, then with a slick pass sent Alex Smith in for the eighth try of the half.
Chris Lockart had one of those frustrating kicking days. He rattled the Portadown posts with near misses on 4 occasions, and converted only two of the eight attempts at goal in the first half.
The first half ended with Grafton Belfast Harlequins 44 points in the lead.
Portadown improved after the break, but failed to break down the 2s defence over a ten minute period of pressure.
GBH failed to keep up the excellence in performance of the first half, when good possession and attacking positions were marred with handling errors, forwards passes and silly mistakes.
The bad patch was broken when Stewart Lamb scored a good forward try in the 14 minutes of the second half. Ricky Allen then picked up his third try of the day after 25minutes out stripping the Portadown side with a 30-meter dash to line.
The referee rightly brought this one sided match to an early end after 30 minutes of the second half.
Final Score 54 points (10 tries, 2 conversions)
Ricky Allen (3 tries)
Wayne Storey, Robbie Milliken, Keith Piper, Gavin Mclaughlin, Michael Finlay, Alex Smith, Stewart Lamb one each.
Chris Lockart kicked 2 conversions.
Team
15 Gavin McLaughlin,14 Wayne Storey 13 Robbie Milliken, 12 Keith Pyper (Capt), 11 Ricky Allen 10 Chris Lockart, 9 Michael Finlay, 8 Stewart Lamb, 7 David Doherty, 6 Alex Smyth, 5 Michael Graham, 4 Keith Scott, 3 William Tang, 2 Ben Hanvey, 1 Jamie Kilbane.
Sub. S Robinson
2ndXV match reports 2003 - 2004
20 September 2003:
Deramore Park
2nd XV vs. Ards 2
Result. Grafton Belfast Harlequins 48 - Ards 0
The 2s started their home league campaign with a sound overall performance producing a good win over an Ards 2s who were making a welcome return to the Ulster Branch 2xv league this season. Keith Piper the captain opened the scoring for GBH with a try in the 3rd minute convert by Chris Lockart. Quins had most of the possession in the opening period and were kept from adding to their total by a well-organised Ards defence. In the 18 minute of the game during a Harlequins attack Mark Crothers a strong mobile prop twisted his knee and had to leave the field Uncontested scrums were introduced due to the injury. 2 minutes later reduced to 14 men, Harlequin’s Robbie Milligan crossed the Ards line for the second try. Chris Lockart added the two points with a successful kick. The speed of the Harlequins backs, superb handling and back up play produced two more unconverted tries by Chris Lockart and Gavin Mclaughlin to bring the first half to a close.
The second half started with a bang producing more skilful handling from Harlequins plus a well-executed crosskick finished off by Johnny Lowe scoring an excellent try. Chris Lockart added the extra points. The Ards team never gave up despite being now 30 points behind, but they could not penetrate the Quins defence. Further points were added later in the half in Grafton Belfast Harlequins favour with 2 unconverted tries in the 60 and 74 minutes, and a goal in 69 minutes. Robbie Sloan at scrumhalf showed promise in an impressive debut for the 2s
Point scored 48 (8 tries, 4 conversions) Robbie Milligan 3 tries. Keith Piper, Stephen Minnis, Chris Lockart, Gavin Mclaughlin, Johnny Lowe one each. Chris Lockart kicked 4 conversions in his total of 13 for the day.
Team: 15 Chris Lockart, 14 Gavin McLaughlin, 13 Robbie Milligan, 12 Keith Pipers, 11 Johnny Lowe, 10 A J Derwin, 9 Robbie Sloan, 8 Andrew Gillispie, 7 Stephen Minnis, Alex Smyth, 5 Michael Graham, Keith Scott, 3 Mark Crothers, 2 Ben Hanvey, 1 Jamie Kilbane.
30 August 2003: The 2s opened their season with an away game at Malone as a curtain raiser to the 1stXV match. There was a bit of pre-match chaos as late cry-offs from the 1s and the spate of injuries meant that putting together a side was more difficult than it should have been. However a good, if inexperienced side took the field lead by veteran No 8 Andy Dougan.
The opening exchanges were fairly frantic as both sides made early season errors and lots of turn overs.The game was played in good spirit and both sides enjoyed the ref's interpretation of the laws. The Harlequins scrummaging was going well with Chris Graham showing up well on his first outing. Ben Urquhart was also very effective. Quins took an early lead with a couple of tries before tight head prop, Mark Crothers left with a torn back muscle.The ref then announced that Quins would have to concede the points as they had no sub prop. Given that subs are not allowed in 2ndXV league matches (see City of Derry last year) this was rather strange unless we had a prop hidden somewhere in the back line! Uncontested scrums followed and the game rather lost its way as scores were exchanged. Malone lost their outhalf and that was basically game over. Harlequins scored 5 tries (Andy Ervine 3, Andy Dougan 1 and Keith Pyper 1) with one converted by Chris Lockhart to Malone's 2 penalties and 2 tries. The season is underway but there are no further games until the 20th September
Team 15 Gavin McLaughlin, 14 David Donaghy13 Keith Pyper, 12 Tony Best, 11 Andy Ervine10 Chris Lockhart 9 Michael Finlay, 8 Andy Dougan, 7 Stephen Minnis 6 Alec Smyth, 5 Simon Crawford, 4 Keith Scott 3 Mark Crothers 2 Ben Urquhart 1 Chris Graham
