Saturday 23rd September 2011 at Old Boys Rugby Club, Whangarei

NZ Harlequins Under 17s: 68     

Northland Vikings: 10

Team: Kereti Tonga, Jack Munce, Mark Tyrell, Kaleb Foote, Mason Nestor, Brodi McCurran, Nathan Sunde (c), Isaac Van der Valk, Dylan Bower, Josh O’Flaherty, Keagen Faria, Jono Feast, Josh Gascoigne, Chad Bracey, Josh Fawcett. Reserves: Gary-Jack Gibb, Peter Simeon, Lui Finau, Jared Newing, Ben Finau, Latrell Tither, Luke Masirewa.

The Harlequins side continue to be blessed with fine weather as they once again had a game in terrific conditions in Whangarei. Having played twice already in the last week this was a real test of the teams resolve, conditioning and bonding over the last week.

After a scrappy first ten minutes from both sides the Harlequins began to string together a strong attacking sequence and from an Issac Van der Valk break winger Chad Bracey was able to score close to the uprights. Gascoigne added the conversion to put the visitors up 7-0. Almost immediately after the kick off Bracey was in again, this time scoring in the right hand corner after a sweeping backline move. Gascoigne added the extras from the sideline.

Next to score were the local side who kicked a penalty at the 20th minute mark to get on the scoreboard.

Between the 23rd minute and half time the Harlequins scored four more outstanding tries. Halfback Dylan Bower scored off a set move from the scrum, Gascoigne scored his first from a Northland error, Jono Feast ran a good line to score under the posts and Bracey scored right on the stroke of halftime to complete his first half hat trick as the score blew out to 36-3 at halftime.

The half time stoppage didn’t stem the flow of the Harlequins as they came out and got back into action. Hooker Jack Munce barnstormed up the field and the ensuing play resulted in Gascoigne crossing over for his second. Further tries in the 41st minute to Van der Valk, 44th to Gascoigne to complete his hat trick and 50th to Jared Newing put the Harlequins well up on the home side.

Northland ended up crossing the line for a consolation try in the 55th minute to promote their score to 10 for the game.

Hard running replacement midfielder Latrell Tither made a strong break at the 62nd minute mark offloading to Gary-Jack Gibb who showed good pace to score. Winger Keagen Faria scored the last of the Harlequins 12 tries in the 68th minute crossing after a well executed backline move in the right hand corner.

Number 8 Isaac Van der Valk was outstanding supporting well and scoring two tries.

Hooker Jack Munce was a physical force all game making massive gains in running metres and accumulating large numbers in tackles. His work at the lineout was also a highlight.

Locks Kaleb Foote and Mason Nestor both played the full 70 minutes and had strong all round games. Both were solid at lineout time along with securing countless kickoffs for the Harlequins.

The midfield combination of Jono Feast and Josh Gascoigne also shined creating opportunities for their outsides and finishing strongly themselves. Feast scored a try and Gascoigne was at his attacking best crossing for a hat trick.

Winger Chad Bracey was another who impressed finishing off three superb tries to also secure himself a hat trick.

Tries: Josh Gascoigne (3), Chad Bracey (3), Isaac Van der Valk, Dylan Bower, Keagen Faria, Jono Feast, Gary-Jack Gibb, Jared Newing. Conversions: Josh O’Flaherty (1), Josh Gascoigne (3)