Rugby was the winner at Saturday’s Back to Campbelltown day when the Harlequins hosted Camden Rams – even though the home side prevailed in both grades.
The two clubs have shared a friendly rivalry for many years, although the battle on the field is as fierce as any senior game of rugby.
The fans who packed the grandstand at Campbelltown Showground applauded as the reserve grade sides and Harlequins “old boys’’ formed a guard of honour for the first grade boys to run onto to the playing field.
Earlie, Campbelltown Harlequins second grade recorded their first win of the season – 31-17 – against the previously undefeated Camden.
This was a morale boosting win for the reserves, who have been struggling in recent weeks.
The young side played some very good rugby over 80 minutes and came home on top of the Rams.
Coming into the Rams match, the Harlequins first grade side suffered two narrow losses, both on the road.
Camden on the other hand entered this fourth round encounter undefeated, and as strong favourites.
But the Harlequins were keen to do the right thing by the old boys who attended the match, exploding from the opening whistle and racing to a 17-0 lead before going on to win the match 48-31 off the back of a seven try romp.
Harlequins were always in control of the game, however the coaching staff were a little disappointed with the defensive effort, leaking some late points.
Also on show at Back to Campbelltown was the Harlequins W side, who are competing for the first time in the Sydney women’s first division competition.
On Saturday, following the men’s first grade match, the Harlequins hosted the star studded Eastern Suburbs and were more than competitive, despite going down 26-12 in the end in a hard fought encounter.
In fact the Harlequins forwards dominated their opposition for most of the first half.
In the second half the game opened up and some loose turnovers saw the pacey Easts backs score two late tries to seal the game.
With Andrew Choice
IDR ROUND 4 RESULTS – FIRST GRADE:
Tech Waratahs 22 Defeated Bowral 20
Campbelltown Harlequins 48 DefeatedCamden 31
Shamrocks 58 Defeated Vikings 0
Kiama, Shoalhaven – bye
SECOND GRADE:
Tech Waratahs 7 Drew with Bowral 7
Campbelltown Harlequins 31 DefeatedCamden 17
Shamrocks 51 Defeated Vikings 8
University 19 Defeated Shoalhaven 12
