Quins Still In The Hunt for RSL Playoffs

Quins Super League: Weekend Off Quins Will Hit the Links

The Quins will take a week off in order for the remainder of the teams to finish out the regular Rugby Super League schedule and will host a full field at the Quins Annual Golf Tournament.

Hit'em Straight Quins!!

Quins Defeat Philly

Quins Super League: Philly-Whitemarsh - Philly

Match Report from Saturday, May 3, 2008

The Dallas Harlequins put their hands up as a potential playoff team this weekend. They needed a bonus point win to even have a shot, and this they accomplished, with some difficulty, in Philadelphia. Against the wind in the first half versus Philly-Whitemarsh the Harlequins scored twice to go up 10-0. And in the second half they spend the first 20 minutes right on the P-W line. During that time they took the ball in-goal five times, but each time were not awarded a try, to the ballcarrier's everlasting frustration. Scrums, mauls, everything seemed to be enormously confused during this period, as a sense of urgency crept into the Dallas heads.

"We knew we had to get the bonus point, and it was frustrating, just scrum after scrum after scrum," said Dallas coach Michael Engelbrecht. "We were playing into Philly's hands."

But eventually the tries did come. Flyhalf and captain Johan Van Rensburg kept the team together and took it upon himself to get go-forward, breaking the line consistently, scoring one try and setting up a couple. No. 8 Tim McNeeley led a huge forward effort. 31-5 Dallas, and, yes, four tries.

"It was a good, hard game," said Englebrecht. "Philly may not able to compete in terms of the standings but they played really hard. We do feel we could have put more points on the board."

At 4-2-1 Dallas has 21 points and a chance at making the playoffs either by finishing second in the White Conference or as a wild card.

 

Double-Header Weekend in Dallas

Quins 2nd's - Glencoe Park, Dallas

Match Report from Saturday, April 26, 2008

In Texas Rugby Union play, Bay Area R.F.C., the visitors from Houston, came back from a 3-point deficit in the second half to run out to a 38-20 victory over the Harlequins B-side. The Harlequins reserves fought back from an early 14-point hole to level the score line at the halftime break with tries from Brent Hockaday and Matt Rinker.

Then, early pressure from the home team lead to a Brian Driscoll penalty kick for a 20-17 lead. Bay Area responded strongly, however, and the Quins defense let in 21 unanswered points before regrouping to pressure the goal again in the final minutes. A series of missed opportunities was the story of the day for the Quins B's as the pressure amounted to naught and the visitors emerged with an 18-point victory.

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Quins Super League: Boston Irish - Glencoe Park, Dallas

Match Report from Saturday, April 26, 2008

The Dallas Harlequins defeated Boston Irish Wolfhounds by a score of 22-15.

With both teams fighting for a play off spot this was going to be a hard fought game. Early pressure by the Quins pushed the Wolfhounds defense back towards their goal line resulting in a try and conversion from a ruck close to the posts.

The Wolfhounds responded in minutes after a penalty put them inside the Quins 22, with the lineout won the attack moved towards the posts then quickly reversed to put full back Sutton into space to touch down in the corner. Within 10 minutes the Wolfhounds struck again after quick ball from a ruck put 8 man Thomas through the Quins defense to feed supporting full back Sutton who dotted down in the corner to give the Wolfhounds the lead. Play continued with each team probing the others defense to no avail. Just before the 1/2 hour mark, with the Quins back inside the Wolfhounds 22, center vaughn Crowe broke the line drew the tackle and put center Dennis Walker in for the try close to the posts. With the conversion the Quins took a 14-10 lead into the break.

The Quins stuck early in the 2nd half after the Wolfhounds were penalized at the ruck giving flyhalf Johan Van Rensburg his first points of the afternoon with a penalty kick . The pressure continued as the Quins dominated posession culminating in a try by winger justin Boyd after a kick and chase from inside the Quins 22. The Wolfhound had to wait until the 75th minute for their only points of the 2nd half coming from a push over try out wide. As the clock ran down, a late rally by the Wolfhounds fell short as the Quins stole an attacking scrum and cleared the ball out of bounds at the final whistle.

Congratulations to the Quins!

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Quins Win Championship

(click image for larger view)

Quins RSL in New York and Championship Playoff in Dallas

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Quins Super League: NYAC - New York, NY

( 22 - 34 )

Match Report:

Conditions: Sunny 70f 10mph east wind
Location: SUNY Maritime College, NY

The Harlequins open the scoring in the first 2 minutes in what was going to be a pivotal match for both sides. An interception by flying winger Justin Boyd was touched down under the posts and converted by Vaughn Crowe to give the Quins an early lead.

Each team had a fair share of possession but early handling errors halted the flow. NYAC got on the board in the 10th minute with a well worked try out wide and the winger reaching to dot the ball down just before sliding out of touch, conversion attempt was missed making the score 7-5 Harlequins.

Each teams kicking game kept moving play between the 22's as the defense held strong on both sides. Center Vaughn Crowe slotted an easy penalty to extend the Quins lead at the 20th minute. NYAC countered 10 minutes later after a kick ahead was chased down, resulting in a converted try to give NYAC a slim 12-10 lead. Just before the break, hooker Zach Rutledge scored close to the posts following a penalty, the conversion gave the Quins a 17-12 lead at half time.

NYAC opened the second half scoring 10 minutes in after a ruck out wide opened up a gap for winger Rafferty to score his 2nd try of the afternoon and level the points.
Within 2 minutes the New Yorkers struck again after multiple phases inside the Quins 22 opened up a gap for flanker Denise to dive over and take the lead.

A further try and penalty by NYAC center Milton sealed the Quins fate as they struggled to maintain momentum against a spirited NYAC defense. A late try by lock Jason Rogers added points to the Quins tally but time had run out leaving the final score at 34-22 to NYAC.

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Quins 2nd XV: Win Championship in Dallas

The Quins succeeded in winning the championship both Saturday and Sunday. The makes the Harlequins the best 1st and 2nd side in the entire state of Texas.

Congratulations to the team and thanks for all the hard work!

Big Weekend for the Harlequin Club around the USA

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Quins Super League: Santa Monica, CA

( 29 - 29 )

Match Report:

The Quins traveled to Santa Monica coming off a win against PAC to face an unbeaten Santa Monica team riding high in the Red conference.

From the start Santa Monica used the elements well pinning the Quins inside their half with well place kicks. Each team defended fiercely in a fast paced match looking for the elusive weakness to open up the scoring. Santa Monica got on board first spreading the Dallas defense and finally out flanking them to score a well worked try. The boot of winger Cremin scored the first of many points in the afternoon for the Dolphins. The Quins fought back but were unable to maintained a sustained attack as the Santa Monica defense played havoc at the breakdowns. The Quins finally got on the board late in the first half after multiple phases put Santa Monica under pressure at their own line. Loose head Scott Schmidt barreled his way over to dot down out wide. Santa Monica fought right back and the boot of Cremin did more damage as they took a comfortable 20-5 lead into the break.

The second half saw the Quins with the wind in their favor fight back with fierce pressure pushing Santa Monica deep into their 22. After a well worked ruck the ball came wide for center Vaughn Crowe to slip through the defense and get the 2nd half scoring underway. Santa Monica battled back but had to make do with penalties as the Quins defense held strong. With a 26-12 lead into the final quarter Santa Monica looked to have enough of a lead to hold on for the win. The Quins fought back taking control of the game scoring two converted tries in 5 minutes to bring them within striking distance of a victory. A penalty in the final minute brought the scores level but an errant drop goal to give the Quins a narrow win went wide leaving each team with that half finished feeling of a tied game.

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Quins 2nd XV: Texas A&M in College Station

( Lose to a Strong A&M Side )

The Quins 2nd XV were outgunned, loosing to a strong Texas A & M side.

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Quins Gentlemen: North Carolina - World MBA Tournament

( Place 6th Overall! )

The Quins traveled to North Carolina and played great taking 6th out of 22 teams in the tournament.

 

2008 Harlequins Rugby Golf

Tournament

Saturday, May 10^th 2008

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RSVP TO BRETT PEDERSEN


PH# 214.728.1332

or

rangi008@hotmail.com

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Buffalo Creek Golf Course

Brochure Page 1 (click on brochure for larger view)


Brochure Page 2 (click on brochure for larger view)

http://buffalocreek.americangolf.com/

$100.00 per golfer

(ANYONE & EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO PLAY)

4 ball – shotgun staggered start

Fee Includes: Green Fees, Carts, Range Balls, Catered Meal

Afterwards. Amazing Prizes (Golf equipment, autographed items

by Tiger Woods, etc )

All proceeds go towards the Dallas Harlequins Rugby Club.

 

Quins Step Up Physically Against PAC

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( 22-10 )

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PAC kicked off into the wind and kept the Quins pinned down inside their half for much of the first 20 minutes using both their forwards and backs to try and break through the staunch Harlequins defense. The Quins limited po session was quickly turned over by the PAC defense as the missed penalty in front of the posts would have given them the early lead but they had to wait until the 10th minute before scoring a try out wide after a quick tap penalty and dive over the line.

From the kick off, the Quins pinned PAC inside their 22 pressuring the defense as they finally were able to mount some consistent attacking phases. Continued penalties at the breakdown allowed PAC to clear their lines and relieve the attacking pressure. The Quins finally got on the board at the 35th minute after a lineout 5m from the PAC line was driven over and touched down by Robo Hanson, the conversion by Vaughn Crowe was good giving the Quins a narrow lead. The Quins continued to apply pressure as the 1st half clock ran down and were rewarded by a penalty kick again by Vaughn Crowe giving the Quins a bit more of a cushion going into the break.

Shortly after the 2nd half kick off with a man in the sin bin, the Quins attacked from a scrum just outside their 22 with 8 man Dennis Walker leading the charge supported by scrum half Marc Ross. The PAC defense scrambled to contain the charge but great support by both players finally saw Dennis Walker in the clear for a sprint to score a try in the corner. The Quins had the momentum and kept possession away from PAC as the support started to gel. What little possession PAC had they quickly used to pin the Quins back inside their half using they breeze and slope. At the 60th minute PAC missed a scoring chance with a forward pass close to the Quins line.

The Quins countered and move play back into the PAC half forcing a turn over from pressure by the back row. The pressure continued as the pack and back line linked up to stretch the PAC defense. A scrum infraction close to the PAC line gave replacement Tim Mcneeley the window to quickly tap and dart through for the try. Vaughn Crowes conversion was good giving the Quins a comfortable lead.

PAC quickly countered from the kick off and were finally able to record a 2nd half score with a try in the corner. The Quins quickly returned to the PAC half looking for the bonus try but the clock was against them as the match ended with a 22-10 win for the home side.

Quins Travel to Chicago to face the Lions

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RSL XV ( 7 - 34 )

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1st Half, each team started probing the other defense looking for weakness but the wet field, slowed the running game causing each team to struggle to maintain any sort of momentum on attack. The Lions used the wind well keeping the Quins pinnind down inside their half. The Quins defense held strong keeping the Lions out of the try zone on several occasions while struggling to get any decent scoring opportunities themselves.

With the wind to their backs in the second half, the Quins used the boot to great effect keeping the Lions down inside their 22. After a charge down the middle of the field by 8 man Dennis Walker, the Quins set up a ruck close to the Lions line where flyhalf Shane Erskine pick-up and charged over for the try. Center Vaughn Crowe converted giving the Quins their only points of the game.

The Quins missed the kick off giving the Lions a position inside the Quins half near the 22 allowing them the platform to mount an attack. After several phases and a well timed kick the Lions scored their first try to regain the lead.

The Lions kept the scoring momentum going off the boot and direction of flyhalf Peterson as the Lions running game started to click. With 2 more try's in the next 5 minutes, the momentum swung to the home side as the Quins struggled to contain the Lions attack. The Quins fought back but were unable to maintain any continuity of possession as each foray into the Lions half was met by stiff defense.

The Lions sealed the victory with a bonus try at the 70th minute leaving the Quins with little chance to secure even a bonus point with the clock running out and the momentum firmly in the Lions favor.

Quins 1st XV & 2nd XV Top the Table of 1 & 2B

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1st XV ( 28 - 28 ) & 2nd XV ( 48 - 13)

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With coaches and managers heading to Chicago Tom Stoner lead the team to Austin where the 2nds pulled out a 28-28 tie against a fiesty Austin huns 1st XV and a comfortable 48-13 win against their 2nd XV keeping the 2nds firmly at the top of the table in the I/IIb competition. Credit to all of the guys who made the trip and the old boys who were able to swell the numbers to fill both fixtures.

Quins kick into high gear against Washington

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RSL XV ( 82 - 0 )

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The Dallas Harlequins started the game on fire and set the pace of the game early denying possession to the visiting Washington team with strong tacking and quick support at the breakdowns. After 10 minutes a shell shocked Washington finally woke up and settled into a game that would see them defending and on their back foot for the majority of the afternoon

.By the 20 th minute with the Quins holding a 31-0 lead it was obviously not going to be Washington's afternoon as the Quins continued to break the Washington defense scoring at almost every po session. Washington's only chance at a score came close to the half but was knocked on denying them the chance to get on the score board before the break. In the second half Washington finally got some po session and up'd the pace of their game as they tested the Dallas defense but slow support at the breakdown denied them any continuity to mount a sustained attack.

Article on the Quins in RSL 2008

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