Cardiff Harlequins 16 – 6 Cheltenham Cougars
Zenith West Division 1
28th March 2009
As Cardiff’s second ever season reaches its conclusion, they are once again left to reflect on early slip-ups which cost them a play-off berth and a chance to play Premiership lacrosse. Cheltenham are one of only two teams to defeat Harlequins this year, and faced a below strength Quins side missing several key players and suffering no less than three injuries during the game. Regardless, Cardiff notched up another terrific victory, outplaying their opponents in every area and proving that their earlier defeat was no more than an aberration.
As predicted, the game was tight in the opening minutes as both teams weighed up their opponents. Once again however, it was Cardiff who drew first blood – returning attackman Gareth Bolderson sneaking to the crease to capitalise on a Will Barrett feed, before injury ended his game. Cheltenham hit back almost immediately to level the scores, and so the game see-sawed throughout the first 20 minutes, leaving the score tied at 3-3 by the end of the first quarter. Over recent weeks, Cardiff have produced their best lacrosse in the second quarter and that pattern repeated itself again as leading goalscorer Alan Croft grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck and lead an onslaught that the visitors simply had no answer to. Croft grabbed his first of five goals with a ripper to the top corner before adding another three, whilst fellow Wales star Rory Peters weighed in with one of his own. As Harlequins pulled away, the game became niggly as frustration bubbled and tempers frayed on both sides, resulting in the occasional late and cheap hit some of which bordered on dangerous. This was quelled thanks to firm refereeing from lead official Tom Slade and once control had been established, the remainder of the match passed without incident. With Grindle in effervescent mood between the pipes, Cheltenham could only manage a single goal coming from a man-up situation as Cardiff won the quarter 6-1 to lead 9-4 at the halftime break.
This was no day to relax though. With title rivals Bath playing their final fixture the following afternoon, Cardiff needed to ensure the win and pile the pressure onto a West Country team who have lead the pack all season. Although the passing and movement was not as fluent or as sharp as it has been in recent weeks, the hosts continued to exert their authority breaking down numerous attempts by the Cheltenham defence to clear the ball. This time it was the turn of Wales midfielder Adam Grey to find the back of the net as he racked up a third quarter hat-trick on his way to Man of the Match honours; Cheltenham’s defence dismantled by the superb vision of teammates and some sharp-shooting. Ben Fey, playing his last game for Cardiff before returning to his native Germany, got his name onto the scoresheet with a rasping quickstick whilst the away side could once again only manage a single goal. As the game wound to a close in the final 20 minutes, Harlequins’ dominance continued with Barrett grabbing a brace and Grey topping off a fine afternoon with the last of his six goals.
Ultimately, Cardiff’s firepower smashed their way to a 16-6 win – not perhaps a vintage display, but a ten-goal victory over a team who were also fighting for promotion ought not to be denegrated. As Bath completed a 21-3 victory over Portsmouth University to confirm their place as division champions, Cardiff now have a long summer to look back on a season in which they lead the division in most goals scored (244), least goals conceded (56) and are unbeaten since the turn of the year – yet have missed out on promotion due to a lack of commitment bordering on complacency in the early part of the campaign. It’s a tough lesson to learn, but if the current crop of Harlequins players are to fulfil their potential, it’s one that must be heeded.
Cardiff Harlequins A 18 – 7 Cheltenham Cougars 2
Zenith West Division 2
28th March 2009
The season finished on a high for Harlequins A, with a magnificent victory over Cheltenham 2nds. Midfielder Laurence Kerrigan was too hot to handle as he opened the scoring for Quins, and racked up a first quarter hat-trick. Guided by captains Dave Elmes and Nick Mahoney, Harlequins bossed the game with excellent displays up and down the field. Tom Claxton demonstrated his 1st team credentials between the pipes, ably supported by defencemen Joe Staton and Jack Pritchard, whilst James Gibson and Matt Wills provided constant support from the midfield. John Baileff capped a great debut season for Quins with another excellent performance in attack, as the hosts ran out comfortable 18-7 winners. The game brings to a close an outstanding first year for Cardiff’s A team, finishing second in the division, with their only defeats coming at the hands of eventual winners Penarth. The team can look forward to another year of success next term, as they hope to build on the firm foundations laid in their debut season.
