Southampton University 1 - 29 Cardiff Harlequins
Zenith West Division 1
8th November 2008
“Utterly irresistible” – that was the verdict of Harlequins skipper Andy Morgan after leading his side to their largest ever win. More important to Morgan than the scoreline, for the first time this season, Harlequins stuck to the game plan for the full 80 minutes and did not allow complacency nor arrogance to set in. It is a reflection of the entire performance that 21 out of the 29 goals – nearly three quarters – were assisted, and continuing evidence that Cardiff are growing and improving with each game.
Southampton fielded at least one player making their first appearance in any lacrosse game, and played the game in good spirits throughout. However, the writing was on the wall within minutes, as Cardiff quickly took possession and settled into their offensive game plan, moving the ball crisply around the goal before Chris Lee ghosted onto to the crease and finished comfortably past the stranded Southampton keeper. Winning possession from the restart, Cardiff attacked again and Andy Morgan added his first and Cardiff’s second with an incisive cut which caught the home defence flat-footed. Indeed, Morgan went on to complete his hat-trick in the first quarter and finished the game with a career-high 9 goals and 5 assists – testament to his workrate with and without the ball.
Harlequins continued to build an unassailable lead, finish the first quarter 5-0 up and adding another 8 in the second to make it 13-0 at halftime. An autumnal downpour slowed proceedings briefly in the third period, as both teams adjusted to the wet conditions and Southampton grabbed a deserved consolation goal which was duly celebrated with the gusto of a last minute winner. But the onslaught from Cardiff never really abated, and the score was 18-1 going into the last quarter.
With confidence surging through the team, and Southampton struggling for ways to cope with the barrage, Cardiff saved their best lacrosse for last and added another 11 goals in the final quarter. Morgan, predictably, started the scoring with a well-rehearsed move assisted by Wales midfielder Adam Grey. Lee and Will Barrett both completed hat-tricks before Alan Croft found his scoring boots, adding his name to the scoresheet four times in the final quarter. Grey grabbed his third, Morgan his ninth and finally Matt Wills finished a classic fast break with a no-look quick stick assisted by – who else – Andy Morgan. The emphatic performance was matched by an equally emphatic final score of 29-1 to Harlequins, who stay well in contention with league leaders Cheltenham Cougars.
Cardiff Harlequins A 3 - 8 Penarth
Zenith West Division 2
8th November 2008
Not such good news for Harlequins A however, who went down at home to local rivals Penarth. The Vale of Glamorgan side beat a spirited Harlequins side 8-3 in the top of the table clash, and leaves Quins with an uphill struggle to gain promotion from West Division 2.
