Belfast Harlequins 5th XV 22
Queens University 3rd XV 7
Forster Cup Quarter-final
Belfast Harlequins 5th XV marched into their third Forster Cup semi-final in five seasons following this workmanlike performance versus Queens University 3rd XV at Deramore. Pre-match tension had led to an unprecedented 12 of the 15 selected for this match to turn up to training during the week leading up to the game whilst 2 of the other 3 opted to support Northern Ireland in their World Record attempt at Windsor Park. Meanwhile Coops quite simply "forgot" what day it was and had made previous commitments.
Having won the toss in the first half stand in skipper Roger (Ronan O’)Gilpin chose to play into the setting sun with the wind on Quins backs in the first half, an inspired choice as it turned out as within a few moments of QUB kicking the ball off Barney had scored following some confusion amongst the opposition backline. The conversion was missed but a few moments later Queens were deemed to be off-side and O’Gilpin kicked the first of his four penalties of the day, something that the 5s could have only dreamed off before Jonny Wilkinson revolutionised goal-kicking with that ridiculous golf-swing manoeuvre.
This was extended to 11-0 before Queens finally found their stride and scored a magnificent try of their own by spreading the ball at speed repeatedly across the pitch until finally there was no one left to make the covering tackle. This they converted to make the game 11-7 in Quins favour.
No one had counted on the Quins out-half bringing his kicking boots with him and what followed was a superb 30 or 40 minutes of astute tactical kicking, 3 more penalty goals and some excellent defence to gradually subdue the Queens onslaught.
Yet again the 5s lineout functioned to perfection winning good clean ball on the home team’s throw and disrupting Queens to such an extent that they were forced to try out several different jumpers with mixed success. This yet again led to Coops getting a man-of-the-match nomination which is a credit also to the effectiveness of Stevie ‘Banana Throw’ Uprichard’s throwing and Jamsie and Marco’s blocking. The scrum also turned the screw very effectively on the Queens pack with the 1.5 metre rule surely the only thing that prevented Quins total domination of the scrum. New boy Mark McGrath was probably the most effective of the back-row trio making some excellent yards, however Wally yet again put his mark on the game with one or two blood-curdling tackles.
To Queens credit they handled Harlequins driving maul very effectively right up to the last minute of the game, and over the course of the match probably gained more yards from their own maul than Quins did from theirs’.
As the match progressed into the last quarter Queens threw caution entirely too the wind and ran everything from just about everywhere making for an exciting final 20 minutes and forcing Quins to encamp on their own goal line for long (and slightly stressful) periods. Quins too decided that it was time to let their backs loose after 60 minutes of discipline and led by Barney Leitch threatened to run riot but Queens always managed to clear their lines.
Of the backs Marcus must be noted for breaking the line on several occasions (sober) supported by Harlequins very own Ally (Forrest Gump) McCulloch and Angus (Bobby Bouch
AKA The Waterboy) Mills outside him, all of which tackled like demons to keep the fresh-faced youngsters at bay. Antony Best came in and defended brilliantly whilst still looking dangerous when going forward and Turk supplied yet more unprecedented clean ball to those outside him while keeping the Queens back-row honest with his sniping runs.
It was not until Turk was adjudged to have been tackled late that O’Gilpin placed the ball delicately into the corner and from the resultant lineout and drive Stevie Uprichard laid down the marker for The Mullet’s outstanding opening try in the Sunday international! Game over and an impressive, though by no means polished, performance by Harlequins who now face Queens twice in the league over the coming weeks.
Man-of-the-match was a toss-up between Coops (who decimated Queen’s lineout) and Barney with the award finally going to Dr Leitch for his fantastic tackling (3 bone-cruncers in the one phase of play in the dying minutes of the game) and exceptional eye for a gap which time and again eased the pressure from Quins’ try-line. He must also be noted for his sharpness in sneaking the first try before most people on the pitch had noticed the game had started.
Dick-of-the-Day was much more difficult to award so it was decided that Marcus should have his weekly nomination withdrawn (even though he did run the ball from his own 22 in the dying minutes, get crunched by about 3 Queens forwards and loose the ball) and that no one would be presented with this prestigious accolade this week.
Man-of-the-Match: Barney Leitch
Dick-of-the-Day: No nominations
Team: 1. M McCartney, 2. S Uprichard, 3. J Graham, 4. H Daly, 5. R Cooper, 6. E Wilson, 7. S Weatherup, 8. M McGrath, 9. B Turkington, 10. R Gilpin (Capt), 11. A Mills, 12. A Leitch, 13. A Best, 14. A McCulloch, 15. M Cummings.
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