Harlequins control sees them crowned U18 Champions in win over Sale

The final fixture of this season’s Premiership Under 18 Academy League was between Harlequins and Sale Sharks. Both sides were dominant in their respective conferences and lost only one game in the league campaign. The final took place under the floodlights at Sixways in front of an impressive crowd including a number of senior players and coaches, with the winners being crowned champions of the league for 2016-17.

                It was a nervy start to the game with neither side willing to risk too much and well drilled defences keeping either side from gaining an early score. The Sale set piece looked to be in the ascendency as it provided a good platform for Sale to build an attack. Defence continued to prove strong as Quins repelled Sale, however eventually Sale scrum half Matt Sturgess attacked the fringe of a ruck and his quick feet got him over the line for the first score of the game.

                Sale continued to apply pressure as they controlled the attack well and made steady progress up the field. The Harlequins defence continued to deny Sale any significant gain in territory but eventually gave away a penalty in front of the posts. The simple kick for Kieran Wilkinson gave Sale a 0-8 lead. Harlequins had their opportunities in the half with ball in hand but occasional handling errors meant they were not able to capitalise.

                It was clear that Harlequins were beginning to work themselves into the game in the closing stages of the half with more possession and steady progress into the Sale half. A penalty for a high tackle shortly before the half-time whistle gave Marcus Smith a chance to get Quins on the scoreboard. A successful kick brought the half-time score to Harlequins 3-8 Sale Sharks.

                Harlequins started the second half as they ended the first, gaining steady control and territory. Quins’ forwards took charge after a strong driving maul put them in a good position on the Sale 22m. Several phases later the forwards had carried up to the Sale line before backrow Luke James finished off the attack as he stretched out and reached for the try line. The conversion gave Harlequins the lead at 10-8.

                With Harlequins in control of the game, Sale were looking to create their own opportunities to attack with ball in hand. However, with Quins controlling territory Sale had to attack from deep inside their own half. The risk didn’t pay off however as they gave away a penalty in front of the posts after breaking outside their 22m. The penalty was neatly slotted by fly-half Smith to extend the lead to 13-8.

                The game was put to bed shortly afterwards as two pieces of individual brilliance created a try for Quins out of nothing. Firstly Smith showed his own pace and skill with a quick counter attack that brought Harlequins up to halfway, and then winger McDuffus demonstrated his own quick feet as he stepped out of two tackles and burst free before racing in from 40m out to score under the posts, the conversion giving Harlequins an unassailable 20-8 lead.

                Despite Sale upping the tempo in the dying moments of the game and looking to threaten, Harlequins defence saw the game out before the ball was booted off the park. The full-time whistle sparked celebrations both on and off the pitch for the Harlequins players and supporters, as they became Premiership  Under 18 League champions.

                After a tight and nervy start, as to be expected in a final, Sale looked to be building a strong performance. Their set piece provided a good platform for the Sale back line to attack but Harlequins defence kept the deficit low before building themselves into the game in the late stages in the first half. That confidence was clearly carried into the second half as Harlequins controlled the second period, keeping Sale pinned well back in their own half and retaining possession well.

                Sale, having given themselves an early lead, will be disappointed to have allowed Harlequins into the game late in the first half and give momentum away. However, they can be pleased that their defensive effort kept the score close till the dying moments of the game. Number 8, Sam Dugdale and hooker, Nic Dolly should take the plaudits for a strong set piece and forwards performance early in the half. While fly-half Kieran Wilkinson controlled the game early on with well-placed kicks from hand.

                Harlequins will be delighted to have fought their way back into the game and controlled large parts of the second half. Credit should go to the lock pairing of Hugh Tizard & Henry Paremain who were very solid defensively and caused trouble for Sale at the breakdown, while centre Jake Hennessey looked threatening with ball in hand, causing the Sale defence trouble with his bright running lines. Having controlled the game from fly-half, Marcus Smith’s  composed performance despite the pressure of a final, earned Harlequins the victory as he controlled the attack and took the points on offer well.