London University 2-20 Cardiff Harlequins

SEMLA Intermediate Flags, Preliminary Round

24th October 2009

There are plenty of clichés about statistics, but sometimes the figures just don’t lie. Evidence of Cardiff’s dramatic improvement in performance can be observed simply with a quick glance at the assists column from their opening three fixtures. Victories over Bristol and Swansea were undermined by a sense that complacency and individualism were taking precedence over hard work and team play. But Cardiff, beginning their defence of the Intermediate Flags with a trip to central London, notched up more assisted goals in this one match than in the previous two combined. It was a performance of graft and selflessness, and Harlequins will hope it marks a watershed in their season.

After a 4 hour drive to Finsbury Park, and with only 11 men, it was perhaps understandable that Cardiff did not fly out of the blocks. London’s American import easily won the face and the hosts settled into the opening possession, whipping the ball around confidently. The swift ball movement was complemented by some excellent cuts and a momentary lapse in communication in the Cardiff defence was punished immediately by the opening goal. Quins quickly made a change at the face-off, bringing attackman Rhodri Stanford back to midfield for the restart and it paid dividends as Stanford earned Cardiff’s first possession. The change in Harlequins’ mindset was immediately obvious, as the ball was moved quickly around the perimeter and soon led to an assisted goal for captain Adam Grey to level the scores. Stanford won the resulting face-off, and another Cardiff goal followed soon after, this time a top corner ripper from Wales midfielder Alan Croft. By the end of the first quarter, London had pulled one back whilst Cardiff had added two more to leave them with a 4-2 lead.

A few concerns over defensive communication and aggression were addressed during the break, but the overwhelming message was to continue in the same vein and Cardiff did exactly that. Such was the improvement at the back in fact, that the hosts did not score again in the remainder of the game. Stand-in goalkeeper Chris Lee lead the line well and was helped by some outstanding defensive work from the backline of Wil Evans, Rory Dewhurst, Nathan Harding and man of the match, Andy Ford. At the other end, Quins had found their stride and were unstoppable. Stanford, Croft, Grey and Andy Morgan all weighed in with excellent goals, including one from Stanford that came straight from the training ground. The midfield, most notably Rory Peters, were tireless in getting up and down the field, and Cardiff were rewarded for their industry with a 7-0 quarter and an 11-2 halftime lead.

With such a small squad, Harlequins were forced to slow the pace on occasion and give players a chance to rest whilst on the field. This allowed London longer possessions than they might otherwise have enjoyed, but with their two American players kept well under wraps, the hosts quickly ran out of ideas and struggled to create any high percentage shots. The visitors continued to notch up goals, punishing severely any mistakes and hustling hard on ground balls to sustain long periods of pressure. This effort was repaid in full with another 9 goals without reply during the second half, and could have been more had legs not faded quickly in the final quarter, to put the holders through to the first round proper with a 20-2 final score.

Harlequins now face another East Division 1 side in the next round, in the form of current league leaders Brighton. It will require a performance of at least the same quality as this if they are to continue their march to April’s Flags Final.