Sue Moloney Memorial Cup 2008

Saturday 30 August 2008

Harlequin Ladies vs Hammersmith and Fulham

Hammersmith and Fulham kicked of the game and immediately drove deep into the Quins half. From a knock on by Hammersmith and Fulham Quins managed to get a scrum which came straight out to the backs. Quins pushed forward and with some quick hands the ball was passed down the line and back towards the centre with Claire Brazier-Kobus crossing the line to get the first try of the game. Amy Gibbons made the convertion.

From the kick off Quins were now hungry to score more. Laura Quinn received the ball and a screaming 30 yard run which lead to a Quins scrum. From the scrum, Hammersmith and Fulham managed to get the ball. They passed the ball out wide and with a few missed tackles by Quins, Hammersmith and Fulham scored leveling the score.

Quins kicked off and as soon as Hammersmith and Fulham had received the ball Lauren Cooper made a great tackle to prevent them going any further with the ball. Quins did not hold on to the ball for too long as a quick turn of play with Hammersmith and Fulham making an overlap they scored again. In another quick turn of play from the kick, Quins pushed forward. Hammersmith and Fulham gave away a penalty inside the 22 yard line in which Laura quin having been passed the ball drove over the line to score.

In the last few minutes of the half, Nat Smith made a good driving maul, but Hammersmith and Fulham managed to get the ball from this. They passed the ball wide but was stopped by Kyra Howell. Having then got the ball to the backs Amy Gibbons kicked the ball up field with Hammersmith and Fulham catching the ball, but a tackle my Mel Antao stopped the ball going any further.
Half Time: Harlequin Ladies 14 - Hammersmith and Fulham 14

The Second half started well for Quins. Amy Smith made a good run from a ruck which then saw the ball recycled out to the backs. Isia Storey made a dart for the line where she thought the ball was held up but managed to turn quickly and place the ball to score. Quins didn't hold the lead for long as Hammersmith and Fulham again passing the ball out wide, managed to score. One again the score was level.

There was still plenty of time for Quins to score more tries and with 10 minutes to go Kate Sinfield scored. The ball having got the backs and almost scoring minutes before, Hammersmith and Fulham handled the ball badly letting the ball go loose. Quins picked up an recycled well where once it got to kate she drove the line to score.

Hammersmith and Fulham from the kick managed to drive Quins back. Quins regained the ball and passed the ball down the line of the backs. From a ruck just outside the 22 yard line in the 30 seconds of the game Amy Gibbons passed the ball to Rhiannon Needham who saw a gap in the Hammersmith and Fulham defence to score and seal the victory for Quins.
Full Time: Harlequin Ladies 31 - Hammersmith and Fulham 21

Each year Harlequin Ladies pay tribute to Sue Maloney, who very sadly died in 2000 from Meningitis. Many Harlequin old girls come and play for the club for the memorial cup. It was great to see a number of them this year. Many of the girls who she coached in the youth squad now play or come back to play for Quins for this match. The memorial cup match is held at Twickenham RFC, as Sue had close links with the club. Hammersmith and Fulham were great opponents for the day as the match was played with spirit, fun and dynamism, and grit just as Sue would have loved.

Sue was a Harlequin Lady through and through. She gave her all both on and off the field for the club. She played an instrumental role in setting up the first youth side, running and coaching the squad for a number of years. Sue also captained the Ladies second XV with determination and enthusiasm.

Sue's brother Dave and his family were down for the game and the family joined Harlequin ladies for post match drinks to celebrate Sue's life. They thoroughly enjoyed the match and praised both teams for putting up such a good fight.

Related Links:
Sue Moloney Cup