Uxbridge come up short in Quins clash

By Nick Guy

Round 3 ends in defeat as Uxbridge were unable to bounce back from last weeks heavy defeat.

Uxbridge were on home turf for the first time this season and looking to bounce back after the disappointment of the previous weeks result. They were up against Harlequins Amateurs, a side in high spirits following a comprehensive victory over Hillingdon Abbots the week before.
The opening exchanges ebbed and flowed with neither team able to establish a foothold. Harlequins scored first however with two well worked tries out wide to take a 12-0 lead.

This stirred the home side into life and following a superb restart collection from Nick Guy, found themselves making yards in Harlequins territory. The pressure continued with strong carries from skipper Jake Lamport, Craig Monaghan and Mark Coles which saw the ball find its way to Tom Rainey to crash his way over the whitewash and open the Uxbridge account.

The half ended on a high for the visitors as they ran in two further ties to establish a cushion to take into the break.

Stern words from the coaches at half time and the introduction of Jack Mochica and Michael De Jager saw the hosts start the second half on a bright note with further good work from Guy, Rainey and Lamport putting Quins under the sword.

The away team were not ready to slow down. The Uxbridge line came under severe pressure as Harlequins turned the screw with hard running in the centres, a solid line-out and moving the ball from flank to flank. The reward was a further two tries in quick succession.

With the final whistle beckoning, Uxbridge again stirred into action with a well worked lineout on the Harlequins five-metre lineout opening up space for Jay Stroud to barrel his way over.

The hosts pressure continued in search of an elusive third try with good link-up play from prop Tom Redrup, Sean Gingell and Mark Wilson but Uxbridge couldn’t find the opening to add to their score.

The game ended 39 - 10 in Harlequins Amateurs favour. Next week the First XV make the trip to Cuffley and the Second XV face Hackney Fourth XV at home, both kick off at 15:00.