Match Report: NZ Harlequins Under 17s vs King Country
4th October 2011 09:36AM
Harlequins 84 King Country 10
Saturday 1st October 2011 at St Pauls Collegiate, Hamilton
Team:Peter Simeon, Mitchell Hansen, Mark Tyrell, Lui Finau , Kaleb Foote, Brodi McCurran, Nathan Sunde (c), Isaac Van der Valk, Ben Finau, Josh O’Flaherty, Luke Masirewa, Gary-Jack Gibb, Josh Gascoigne, Chad Bracey, Josh Fawcett.
Reserves: Jack Munce, Wade McLean Te-Huia, Kereti Tonga, George Forster, Dylan Bower, Latrell Tither, Jono Feast.
First half:
The Harlequins side went into the game knowing a victory would secure them the title of Northern Regions under 18B champions, and they certainly started with a hiss and a roar.
In just the third minute, off a well secured lineout, the Harlequins used the drive well resulting in a well taken try to Nathan Sunde. A few minutes later they were in again through an outstanding break from second five Gary-Jack Gibb. Gibb broke the defence ten metres out from his own line and went all the way to score under the posts. The Harlequins scored further tries through Isaac Van der Valk off a well worked scrum move in the 18th minute, Luke Masirewa in the 22nd off a 50m run and Josh O’Flaherty in the 34th off a swinging backline move set up by centre Josh Gascoigne.
King Country was able to get on the board in the 27th minute from a well taken shot at goal by their impressive first five.
Halftime Score: Harlequins: 36 King Country: 3
Second half:
After five minutes of warming back into the game the Harlequins began to really heat up in the second half. Winger Chad Bracey was the first to cross after a well worked backline move in the 41st minute followed by blindside Brodi McCurran in the 45th and halfback Ben Finau in the 48th. Centre Gascoigne continued his try scoring spree crossing over in the 51st, 59th and 65th to secure his second hat trick in two weeks. McCurran also crossed in the 54th minute off sloppy lineout work by the visitors to nab his second of the match.
The King Country side certainly didn’t give up and were rewarded for their expansive play with a length of the field effort in the 61st minute.
In the 67th minute replacement halfback Dylan Bower ran rings around the opposition defence before feeding hooker Jack Munce to crash his way over for a strong finish. Midfielder Latrell Tither scored the last of the Harlequins tries late in the game off a monstrous run by replacement prop Kereti Tonga.
Fulltime Score: Harlequins 84 King Country 10
Outstanding Players:
Captain and open side Nathan Sunde along with fellow loose forwards Isaac Van der Valk and Brodi McCurran were outstanding on support and winning ball at the break down. All three crossed over for tries with blindside McCurran grabbing a double.
First five Josh O’Flaherty ran the game well, starting many a backline move as well as tactically kicking for field possession well.
The midfield combination of Gary-Jack Gibb and Josh Gascoigne also shined creating opportunities for their outsides and finishing strongly themselves. Gibb scored an outstanding solo 90m effort and Gascoigne crossed for his second hat trick in as many weeks.
All players contributed to the game capping off a real team performance and an excellent game to watch. This result ensured the Harlequins victory in the Northern Regions competition along with an unbeaten season.
Tries: Josh Gascoigne (3), Brodi McCurran (2), Nathan Sunde, Isaac Van der Valk, Ben Finau, Josh O’Flaherty, Luke Masirewa, Gary-Jack Gibb, Chad Bracey, Jack Munce, Latrell Tither
Conversions: Josh O’Flaherty (4), Josh Gascoigne (2), Latrell Tither (1)
