2nd XV v Harlequins

Monday, 08 November 2010 16:37

Belfast H’quins V Academy 2nds  (6-Nov-10)

A charged down kick, gifting Quins a try in the opening minute was not the start Academy were hoping for (5-0,  1 min), but in Academy’s first attack, a show and go by No.8 K.Dobbin from 25m out, levelled the scores (5-5,  7 mins).

Quins regained their lead, as their backline attacked, Academy’s winger was drawn in, allowing Quins to move the ball wide, and there was little the fullback could do against a 2 on 1 overlap (12-5,  17 mins). J.Ball reduced the deficit with a penalty (12-8,  29 mins) before Academy took the lead for the first time with a controversial try. Quins scrumhalf knocked on in Academy’s half, B.Cahill secured the ball on the ground and when the ball was moved wide, J.Kelly made good ground down the wing before finally passing inside for S.Stewart. Ignoring JK’s foot in touch and forward pass, the ref awarded the try (12-13,  31 mins).

Quins prop retired injured at half time, leading to uncontested scrums for the second half.
From the first such scrum, Academy moved the ball wide via J.Kelly to fullback N.Carson, who in turn fed back inside to the supporting K.Dobbin for his second try (12-20,  42 mins). Quins second row did not help their cause being yellow carded for dissent (46 mins).

Now that Quins were two men short in the pack, Academy sportingly called a shorted lineout to allow a more even contest. Academy lost the lineout but quickly regained possession, and a well timed pass from P.Moffet put J.Kelly through for a score (12-27,  54 mins). Once again Academy eased off  in the last 20-mins, but Quins, restored to 14 men, could only manage a penalty (15-27,  56 mins), as their backline lacked the precise passing to convert a two man overlap (65 mins).
(15-27,  fulltime).

 
the observer.