With a 27 point win over second-placed Box Hill, the Quins send another clear message to the rest of the Dewar Shield competition.
The Match
Often regarded as the benchmark in the Dewar Shield, the Ashwood-based team has won all games so far in the first half of the competition, and in doing so has gained an attacking bonus point every time.
The game between Harlequins and Box Hill has attracted a decent crowd at Ashwood Reserve and entertained for most of the time the spectators. The result has been in the balance up to midway through the second half, when the home team ran away to end up scoring three tries to one penalty in the remaining 20 minutes of play.
Box Hill paid the price for some key injuries early on in the game which left them with less fresh legs to inject in the second half.
The loss of starting flyhalf Dan Yakopo early in the match, who was just back from another injury, had the biggest impact. Fatigue, and the superior Quins’ game organisation, cost the Broncos the game. They need to take the positives from their loss and build on it to keep improving and try to tip the three time champions in the play offs.
The Harlequins pack, well directed by Lucky Palamo and Lloyd Johansson, scored five tries for their team. Lock Murray Douglas was in fine form, scoring three of those tries.
First Half
The game started slowly with both teams struggling to find holes in the opponents’ defensive lines. Harlequins had the majority of the ball, however they couldn’t transform this into points. When in possession, the Broncos backline were a constant threat.
It took some good play from the Quins forwards to unlock the Broncos defence and score the first Try. A Harlequins lineout resulted in the first major of the day, Steve Cummins over the line after twelve minutes of play.
The Broncos had a chance to shorten the gap, but kicker Felipe Vilitali was off the mark from the tee. Not so his opponent Lloyd Johansson who scored a penalty in front of the posts.
Vilitali got one back at the 23rd minute and was over the chalk at the half hour to square the score to 8 all.
Before half time the Broncos conceded a second try to the home team. Oliva Sialau beat several tacklers and ran 30 meters towards the line before being finally stopped. It took promising centre Eli Vole to finish off the good work, and score the Try underneath the posts.
Half time score Harlequins 15 Box Hill 8
Second Half
The visitors came out from the sheds firing and after just 2 minutes were over the line for the equaliser. However, the paid a hefty price, with a yellow card to reserve prop Jack Wootton. Quins capitalised on this and scored a Try, the first of Douglas’ hat-trick.
Box Hill quickly response, with a try to Flanker Gab Navuni. The gap closed to two points, with Harlequins just in front.
Sadly, this was the last time the visitors were in contact with the home team. The Harlequins benefit from the fresh legs coming from the bench and were twice over the line, Douglas again and Sialau with the Tries.
Sixteen points behind, Box Hill earned a penalty 20 meters from the tryline, however they puzzled the spectators with the decision to kick. The Broncos clearly backed their chances to score two try to go on top, but missed the chance to score the bonus point try.
Harlequins scores two more tries to end any home for Box Hill. Zac Dixon and Murray Douglas, with his third individual Try, capped on a successful day for the home side.
Final score: Harlequins 50 – Box Hill 23
The Wrap Up
Between the two teams there are less than 27 points difference, but the game was not at all one-sided as the final score may tell. One message is clear, the Dewar Shield will hardly leave Harlequins’ clubhouse if the Broncos, as well as the Unicorns, don’t close the gap between them and the defending champions.
The Harlequins are impressive for their structure and organisation in every aspect of the game. They can use their forwards to grind the opposition and then strike with their backs. Their game plan is the most complete of the competition and after having played and beaten each of the other teams. Pom Simona’s task for the second half of the season is to keep the feet of his players well planted on the ground.
Game Changer
Difficult to find a single moment where the game changed, it was a slow build up from the Harlequins that resulted in the blow out at the end of the 80 minutes. One moment that may have changed the course of the game happened in the first 20 minutes when the Broncos, already suffering some key absences, lost flyhalf Dan Yakopo.
G&GR MOTM
Not awarding MOTM to a forward that scored three tries is considered a crime, and we cannot commit it. Douglas’ hattrick has been a great achievement, but it was not a mere individual exploit, it was the clear result of well-oiled machine.
Rising Watch
Felipe Vilitali ‘s performance in a losing team cannot go unnoticed by the Rising scouts. The fullback has a great vision, can pass, run and kick, definitely another Fijian born player to keep an eye on.
The Details
Score & Scorers
[one_half last=”no”]
Harlequins 50 (15):
Tries: Cummins, Vole, Douglas (3), Sialau, Dixon
Conv.: Johansson 6/7
Pen.: Johansson 1/1
[/one_half] [one_half last=”yes”]
Box Hill 23 (5):
Tries: Vilitali, S. Rokowaqa, Navuni
Conv.: Vilitali 1/3
Pen.: Vilitali 2/3
[/one_half]
Cards & citings
Yellow cards: BoxHill: Wootton
[one_half last=”no”]
The Other Matches
In the other matches of the Dewar Shield Melbourne won their match against Endeavour Hills to regain the second place on the ladder. Despite the loss the Eagles keep their fourth place but need to start watching behind their backs.
Power House scored an important win at Footscray and left the Dogs behind on the ladder, whilst Moorabbin kept the pace defeating University at home.
The race for the play off is still on for the Rams and the ‘House, whilst the Bulldogs look like not being capable to fight for a top spot.
Footscray 19 – Power House 29
Moorabbin 34 – Melbourne Uni 20
Melbourne 39 – Endeavour Hils 22
Southern Districts had the Bye.
