With the Harlequins men’s first grade having a bye on the weekend, attention shifted to second grade and the women’s side, reports our rugby correspondent ANDREW CHOICE.
In greasy conditions at Campbelltown Showground the Harlequins women started slowly against title hopefuls Southern Districts.
The visitors, a well structured team with a lot of pace, capitalised on the Harlequins slow start and basic errors to skip out to a 17-0 lead midway through the first half.
Harlequins then rallied to score before half time to go into the break still in touch at 17-7.
In what seems to be a trend, Harlequins came back hard to win the second half.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough, and they just missed out on the result, with the visitors departing as victors, 29-24.
Down south at Wollongong Uni, Harlequins reserve grade needed to win to stay in touch with the top four.
Playing some enterprising football, Harlequins slipped out to a 26-5 lead at half time.
The home side played some good attacking rugby in the second half to get within nine points of the Harlequins with 15 minutes to go.
However, Quins refocused to run away with the win, 41-22.
This Saturday, the women’s team travel to Manly to take on the Marlins in a morning game.
I am sure that they will rush back to Campbelltown Showground to support the men who take on competition leaders Shoalhaven in what promises to be a blockbuster.
In other news, last Tuesday saw the NSW Waratahs hold their annual awards dinner for 2024 where Harlequins’ own Atasi Lafai, pictured, won the prestigious women’s player of the year honour.
This is a most deserved honour for Atasi who played a pivotal role in the NSW Waratahs Super W 2024 title and followed a player for the match performance in the Waratahs 50-14 win over the Drua at Ballymore.
It is also good to see that between Test matches Atasi is back playing with her local club and working with and encouraging the Harlequins juniors.
