Cardiff Harlequins 14 - 6 Cambridge University

SEMLA Intermediate Flags Preliminary Round

25th October 2008

After suffering their first defeat of the season last week, Harlequins began their defence of the South of England Flags at home to a Cambridge side fresh from a heavy varsity defeat against Oxford earlier in the week. A lack of fight and desire was the main culprit in the loss to Cheltenham seven days ago, and Cardiff’s season so far has been defined by a lack of consistency. So whilst nothing mattered except progression to the next round, Cardiff will draw comfort from a first half performance which was as good as anything they have produced since the Flags Final six months ago.

Cardiff Harlequins Squad against Cambridge University, 25th October 2008

BACK ROW(l-r): Chris Lee, Adam Grey, Ben Fey, Luke Probert, Alan Croft, Andy Morgan(c), Scott Belland, Phill Pexton

FRONT ROW (l-r): Gareth Bolderson, Rory Peters, Matt Wills, Will Barrett

Quins dominated at the face-off for the entire game, losing possession on just one restart and it was from this solid base of possession that they built an unassailable lead by halftime. The match started slowly, as both teams felt each other out, prodding and poking and looking for gaps. Despite having a reputation for playing fast, free-flowing lacrosse, Cardiff were patient in the opening exchanges and were rewarded when Canadian attackman Scott Belland beat his man and the keeper to start the scoring. A second followed shortly after, but the University side were unbowed and both sides created chances only to be thwarted by the respective goalkeepers. Ben Fey added a third for Quins moments before the break, when his initial shot was saved comfortably by the Cambridge keeper who then, in an attempt to clear, threw the ball straight back into the German midfielder’s stick. Fey gratefully accepted the opportunity second time around, to give the hosts a 3-0 first quarter lead.

Cardiff’s hard work and patience in the first period reaped huge rewards in the second, as they won the period 6-1. It began, as ever, with magnificent work at the face off by Fey, Luke Probert and Alan Croft, who were given constant support from the wings. Croft grabbed the first of his 5 goals with a rasping shot to the bottom corner, the chance coming directly from his own face off. Harlequins’ midfield bossed the game, with Probert back to his bruising, dominating best and Pexton at the back hoovering up any hint of a loose ball. Stand-in keeper Chris Lee was well protected by his defence, mopping up the few shots that did make it through and as confidence surged through the team, the goals continued to flow. A single score to Cambridge was scant consolation and the visitors went into the break needing to reorganise.

Will Barrett hunts a ground ball in the victory over Cambridge

However, Harlequins’ inability to maintain their workrate and performance level once again undermined the second half display. Faced with an invigorated Cambridge side, Cardiff’s workrate dropped allowing the visitors much longer spells of possession. In lacrosse, possession is king and without the ball, Cardiff’s attack dried up, rushing the few chances that came along. Poor decision making by the midfield and uncontrolled checks from the long sticks meant the visitors enjoyed several extra-man opportunities which were duly converted and the students won the quarter 3-2. The final quarter wasn’t much better for the home side although as the clock ticked down, the result was never put in any serious jeopardy. Croft added two more to score a season-high 5 goals, and Cardiff cantered into the next round, running out 14-6 winners. Next up, they face a tough away tie against Surrey side, Walcountian Blues 2 – whether Cardiff progress any further will depend on their ability to scarp and play with intensity for a full 80 minutes.