Cardiff Harlequins A 14-7 Southampton Tridents
SEMLA Minor Flags Final
Cardiff Harlequins 11-4 Bristol Bombers
SEMLA Intermediate Flags Final
17th April 2010
It has already been a memorable season for Cardiff Harlequins, with both 1sts and As winning their divisions and achieving promotion. But as the squads gathered at the Diamond Ground in the early morning sun, they stood on the precipice of history. Both teams had reached the final of their respective Flags competitions and were aiming for an unprecedented “Double Double”, whilst the 1sts were looking towards completing a hat-trick of Intermediate Flags titles three years on the bounce – another unique achievement. In splendid sunshine, Quins produced performances worthy of any final to cap a famous season that will stand as the benchmark for the club for many years to come.
Cardiff Harlequins A team squad for SEMLA Minor Flags Final 2010 |
|
BACK ROW (l-r): Matt Wills, Matt Grindle, Joey Rickman, Gareth Willis, Joe Staton, John Baileff, Jonathan Aspinall, James Cooper, Ant Brookes, Tom Stringer, Mark Geraghty
|
Harlequins A, having struggled for numbers for much of the season, turned out with a strong 18-man squad, the only absentee being injured attackman Gareth Bolderson. The mixture of experience and guile, combined with the enthusiasm of players who are relative newcomers to the sport proved a potent blend from the outset. Quins attack trio of Mark Geraghty, Jonathan Aspinall and Matt Wills can boast decades of lacrosse experience, and indeed the trio led by example providing more half of Cardiff’s total. But the foundation to Quins success this year has been its reliance on team lacrosse over individual talent, and this match provided further evidence of that. No less than seven different players added their names to the scoresheet, whilst 11 of the 14 goals were assisted and skipper Dave Elmes will take as much satisfaction from that as he will from the victory itself.
Jonathan Aspinall top-scored for Quins with 5 goals and 2 assists |
Cardiff opened nervously, and were guilty of wasting opportunities in the first quarter with forced passes and a lack of shape in attack. At the back, poor communication and positioning allowed Southampton through several times as Cardiff struggled to impose themselves on the match. As a result, it was the south coast outfit who lead 3-2 by the end of the first quarter. Quins response was magnificent. More discipline and patience in attack, together with more composure and aggression in defence put Cardiff in control with a 5-1 quarter to lead 7-4 at the half.
Keeper Matt Grindle marshalls his troops as Paris Hawkes prepares to defend a dodge |
At the halftime break, with the major problems ironed out, Elmes needed only to urge his troops to continue in the same vein. This they did with increased ball movement and improved off-ball movement, and but for the woodwork, would have seen the gap stretch even further. Southampton, for their part, kept the pressure on Cardiff with a couple of late goals in the third to ensure that Quins could not relax. Going into the final 20 minutes with a healthy but not insurmountable lead, it was essential that the Welsh side controlled possession and their superior numbers began to tell. As Southampton began to tire, it was Quins who put the hammer down with the midfield dictating the pace and ensuring a healthy supply of possession for the offense, who duly converted several more opportunities to give Cardiff a hugely deserved 14-7 victory. The win completed a remarkable season for Elmes’ men who have battled to an undefeated season; a result which is testament to both the fighting spirit which permeates throughout the side and the enthusiasm which all involved have for the game.
That win meant all that was left was for the 1sts to emulate their clubmates and lift the Intermediate Flags trophy. Standing between them, however, was a strong Bristol side who had come runners up in the league and promised to give unbeaten Cardiff a run for their money. The West country side were as good as their word and despite the lack of their leading defenceman, stuck in Austria because of the volcanic ash cloud which had grounded all flights over the UK, they gave Quins their toughest test all season.
Harlequins withstand early Bristol pressure |
Cardiff started the game with the same squad that had defeated Brighton a week earlier in the Premiership promotion playoff, the only absentee being long stick midfielder Phill Pexton who’s season ended in March with a broken wrist. In sharp contrast to the match seven days previously, Harlequins were supremely relaxed going into the game and started brightly. Despite Cardiff's positive opening, it was Bristol who started the scoring as they exposed a somewhat flat-footed Quins backline. Cardiff refused to panic, and enjoyed long periods of possession which was finally converted into a goal by James Tiley; indeed they could have had more but for some wayward finishing and excellent shop-stopping from the Bristol goalkeeper. Harlequins did manage to add one more before the break to hold a slender 2-1 lead at quarter time. The distinction from the Welsh side’s performance in the playoff was evident once again as all the talk during the break focussed on positive aspects and addressing minor issues. Harlequins went into the second period insistent on sticking to the gameplan which was working well and were rewarded with two goals without reply to reach halftime with an encouraging 4-1 lead.
Chris Lee sets up for a dodge |
The first goal after halftime can be hugely influential in building or breaking momentum, but despite first blood of the second half going to Cardiff, it was Bristol who found the wind in their sails. Faced with a 5-1 deficit and an injury to captain Danny McLeish, Bombers showed tremendous courage and strength to fight their way back into the game by going on a run of 3 goals without reply. Cardiff were rocking and for the first time looked vulnerable. But as he has done so often this season, the ship was steadied by captain Adam Grey who finished off a fine Rhodri Stanford feed to end Bristol’s comeback. Harlequins had heeded their warning and Bristol would not score again. Attackman Will Barrett grabbed his first of the game to restore Cardiff’s 3 goals lead and it remained 7-4 at the break.
Rory Peters carries the ball downfield as Will Barrett sneaks onto the crease |
With the game still in the balance, it was essential for Cardiff to keep their discipline and shape, and credit must go to the midfield whose work rate never faltered thoughout the 80 minutes, and allowed Cardiff to dominate the crucial ground ball battle. At the back, keeper Casey Hughes marshalled his backline superbly, as Wil Evans, Nathan Harding, Rory Dewhurst and man of the match Andy Ford grew in stature and confidence to shut out Bristol through the final period. Trailing by three goals, Bristol were forced to chase the game and extend out much further on the Cardiff offense. This provided more space inside, and Quins were ruthless in capitalising on it, combining sharp ball movement with direct dodging to further extend the lead, adding four more goals to put the finishing touches to a splendid display.
Chris Lee pops the champagne cork to celebrate a remarkable season for Quins |
The final score of 11-4 was a fair reflection of Cardiff’s superiority but also of the effort and contribution of Bristol who played their part in an excellent game of lacrosse, and gave Cardiff a stern examination. As the final whistle blew, Cardiff’s 1sts were joined by an onrushing A team to celebrate a truly stunning achievement. The champagne corks popped and the partying began, and all those involved in this famous season will remember and treasure a quite remarkable year.
Cardiff Harlequins 1sts and A team squads for SEMLA Minor and Intermediate Flags 2010 |
|
BACK ROW (l-r): Phill Pexton, Adam Grey (c), Joe Staton, Matt Grindle, Alan Croft, Andy Morgan, Mark Geraghty, Jack Pritchard, James Cooper, John Baileff, Joey Rickman
|
