Harlequins have sent a message to the rest of the competition that they are the real deal in 2025 after a 73-26 thumping of University at the Campbelltown Showground on Saturday, reports ANDREW CHOICE.
The win locks up second spot on the Illawarra District Rugby Union premiership first grade ladder at the halfway mark – just one point behind Kiama.
Scoring opened after just four minutes with a converted try to Harlequins, however the visitors jumped on a mistake by the home side soon after to score out wide.
The next few minutes saw tit for tat tries, and after 15 minutes Harlequins led by just two points, 14-12.
At that stage it looked like the Quins would not have it all their own way.
Eventually, however, their backs stated to click into gear and Harlequins dominated the scoring with four more tries giving them an impressive 42-12 lead at halftime.
As has been the trend over the past few weeks, the home side started the second half slowly, allowing Uni to score and reduce the deficit by seven points at 42-19.
Maybe that was the spark the Quins needed because they went up a gear to pile on five more tries for an emphatic 73-26 victory.
Colt Glassie Glassie, along with winger Villi Naura, was outstanding in a backline that was firing on all cylinders for most of the match.
All the forwards toiled away all day, but a special mention goes to Rusty Ratulallai, who scored two tries and was devastating on the fringe of the ruck.
Second grade picked up their third win of the season and now sit a win out of the top four.
The lady Harlequins journeyed to Concord to take on Briars in a game they were looking at winning.
It was a hard fought tussle that came down to a couple of decisions and ended in a 15-15 draw.
Next weekend the ladies are at home to host Southern Districts at 11.30.
The men have a bye but will be home to Vikings the following week
IDRU ROUND 9 RESULTS – FIRST GRADE:
Kiama 50 Defeated Bowral 16
Shoalhaven 31 Defeated Vikings 19
Campbelltown Harlequins 73 Defeated University 26
Camden 47 Defeated Shamrocks 29
SECOND GRADE:
Kiama 22 Defeated Bowral 18
Shoalhaven 76 Defeated Vikings 10
Shamrocks 21 Defeated Camden 17
Campbelltown Harlequins Defeated University by Forfeit.
