The top of the ladder Dewar Shield clash, between the only two Dewar Shield’s unbeaten teams, delivered a tough game of Rugby won by the better team.
The Match
Harlequins wins the opt of the table Dewar Shield clash, and in doing so collects yet another bonus point in a perfect start to their season.
The difference between the two teams is smaller than the final scores suggest. We are likely to see the two team go head to head again, in the Grand Final.
Both teams showed great structure and good combinations. The Unicorns showed they could put the visitors under extreme pressure, but they couldn’t convert this into points, mainly due to Harlequins’ defence.
The difference between the two teams was Harlequins’ better execution of almost every aspect of the game. Lineout, ruck and breakdown were all in Harlequins’ favour, where the scrum saw a slight advantage to the Unicorns.
First Half
The game saw an early dominance from the visitors. Harlequins were better in reading Unicorns’ defence, and in finding space to move the ball.
Melbourne was often forced to double up in the tackling zone allowing more space out wide.
This resulted in Harlequins scoring twice in the first part of the half with their wingers. Leo Owade was the first over the chalk, Kelu Vaele second.
Both tries went unconverted by former Wallaby Lloyd Johansson, leaving the scores at 10 – 0 to Harlequins. This gave a strong Unicorns outfit the chance to get back into the game quickly.
Melbourne started to put the visitors under pressure, with
Melbourne started to gain ascendency, placing the Quins’ defence under real pressure. After several phases in the Quins’ 22, the pressure turned into a sin-bin. Quins’ flyhalf Maradona Farao was the luck yellow gift card winner, earning a ten minute rest from referee Dan Coelho.
The numbers advantage soon led to the first Unicorns try, scored by winger Mataisi Nairava. Mick Snowden narrowly missed the conversion, to reduce the gap to five points. Scores 10 – 5 to Harlequins.
The unicorns didn’t take full advantage of the sin-bin, and it soon cost them on the scoreboard. The visitors were able to score a runaway try that left Unicorns head coach Tumai Edwards lost for words.
The teams went to the sheds with Harlequins 12 points ahead.
Half time score Unicorns 5 Harlequins 17
Second Half
Once again, Harlequins showed they are the better side, showcasing their slick execution across the field.
Harlequins never looked in danger to lose the lead on the game. They crossed the line, with the Tries scored by impressive number 8 Simei Kolio and fullback Paul Asquith.
To Melbourne’s credit, they didn’t gave up and kept attacking. The Unicorns managed to reduce the deficit to 12 points, albeit not enough to earn a losing bonus point. Speedy winger Nairava was on the scoreboard for the home team, along with replacement prop Davis Tui.
Final score: Melbourne Unicorns 17 – Harlequins 29
The Wrap Up
The game was a clear preview of the most probable Grand Final of this year’s Dewar Shield. Both team have all the required credentials to go all the way and fight for the title to the end.
For Harlequins, the game confirmed the strong belief in the team and in their excellent structure. They look capable to deliver three titles in a row under three different head coaches.
Melbourne will reflect on the small things that costed them the game with the belief that there is room for improvement and that the gap to the competition benchmark is very narrow. With a little more attention and regaining some injured players the Unicorns can beat the Harlequins. But this was not the day.
Game Changer
At the end of the first half the Unicorns were one man up and were threatening Harlequins’ try line when they conceded a try to visitors’ lock Murray Douglas. From a probable half-time draw, the teams went to the shed with Harlequins 12 points up. Not accidentally the same difference as the final score.
G&GR MOTM
Harlequins’ captain Gus Hamilton was a standout for the visitors. He led his team from the front with courage and almost perfect execution in the crucial breakdown areas.
Rising Watch
Both teams had a lot of talent on display, both forward packs were very good. Man of the match Angus Hamilton and fellow lock Murray Douglas, were already part of the Rising team the past year. Number seven Andrew Fullman impressed with his workrate and may push for NRC selection, as well as number 8 Simei Kolio.
Similarly Unicorns number 8 Anarae Koliavu had a great game. Together with his backrow team-mates George Symonds and Paolo Ragazzi, the latter takin on also lineout throw-in duties.
Harlequins winger Leo Owade had both speed and body structure to be an impact winger a là Nadolo. As well to watch is Unicorns’ outside centre Mika Faamausili.
The Details
Score & Scorers
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Harlequins 29 (17):
Tries: Leo Owade, Kelu Vaele, Murray Douglas, Simei Kolio, Paul Asquith
Conv.: Johansson 2/5
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Melbourne 17 (5):
Tries: Mataisi Nairava (2), Davis Tui
Conv.: Mick Snowden 1/3
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Cards & citings
Yellow cards: Harlequins: Farao 32′- 42′, tbd
Melbourne: none
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The Other Matches
The results of the other Dewar Shield matches confirmed the fracture between the front runners of the competition and the rest. Box Hill had another convincing home win against struggling Melbourne University at RHL Sparks Reserve.
Endeavour Hills and Moorabbin had to fight a little more to prevail on their opponents, Southern Districts and Footscray respectively.
The Eagles won by 10 points against the Pirates, a team that is improving week by week, but that so far hasn’t enjoyed a single win this season.
Footscray, humiliated by 71 points by the Harlequins last week, bounced back and was close to a win against Moorabbin. But at the end conceded their fifth consecutive loss to the rested Moorabbin Rams.
Next week the Bulldogs will pay visit to Southern District at the Pirate Ship in a game that could either see the first win for the pirates or give them some glimpse of hope.
Footscray 22 – Moorabbin 25
Endeavour Hils 36 – Southern Districts 26
Box Hill 42 – Melbourne Uni 13
Power House had the Bye.
