Campbelltown Harlequins defeated Bowral 39-17 on Saturday to record their fourth win on the trot. The club’s talented women’s side also won, defeating Parramatta 24-7. Rugby correspondent ANDREW CHOICE reports from a sodden Campbelltown Showground:
On a gloomy and rainy afternoon Campbelltown Harlequins hosted Bowral Rugby in the penultimate game of the first round of the 2024 Illawarra Rugby competition.
After three straight wins, Harlequins faced off against Bowral who have promised a lot this season.
After just five minutes Harlequins opened the scoring with good backline movement resulting in a try in the corner to lead 5-0.
Bowral hit back soon after with a penalty goal to make it 5-3.
Buoyed by this Bowral continued to mount a sustained attack in the Harlequin 22 for the next 20 minutes.
Harlequin defence held firm and from a turnover the home side broke out to score a long range try to extend the score line to 12-3.
Two more quick tries ensured Harlequins had the upper hand at the break, leading 24-3.
The second half opened with Quins putting pressure on the Bowral line.
A push over try took the score to 29-3 and 10 minutes later Harlequin backs created space and scored on the wing to make it 34-3.
But Bowral kept coming and after a sustained forward drive on the Harlequin line the visitors crashed over for a well deserved try.
On the back of some Harlequin ill discipline that resulted in a yellow card, Bowral used their one man advantage to score again and take the score to 34 points to 17.
Harlequins rallied late to score the final try on the day and take the closing score line to 39-17.
It was a confidence building win for Harlequin who played very well in the conditions to convincingly win over a very organised and willing Bowral.
This confidence will be needed in the coming weeks when Harlequin face the two competition front runners, Shoalhaven and Kiama.
Earlier in the day the Harlequin ladies recorded their third win of the season, overcoming the Parramatta Two Blues in the Sydney first division competition.
On the back of a dominant forward display, the Harlequins were never in doubt leading all the way to win 24 -7.
This is Harlequin’s first year after a long absence and the girls are proving most competitive after a slow start to the season.
