Muddy good display keeps Evergreens in contention for league

13 April 2016

THE Evergreens maintained pole position in the league with a hard fought victory against the men from BT9.

With no other teams playing, a strong Harlequins side was expected.

The men in green were not disappointed and opted to play on the Golan Heights, just in case to Quins played as good as they looked.

The early exchanges were feisty. The Evergreens pack carried well and allowed Matty Glenn to distribute to a mixture of forward and back attacks.

The weather closed in and soon the conditions deteriorated with heavy wintry showers turning the pitch to mud, but Stevie Seymour found some traction and went over for a try that was converted by Fraser Bowsie.

Both teams found it hard to retain quality ball. Just before half time, the referee missed a big knock-on and the Evergreens looked in in disbelief as Quins scored as they waited for the scrum to be awarded. At half-time the home side led 7-5.

Conditions didn’t improve in the second half and despite losing players to the bin on three occasions, the Evergreens managed to put phases of play together against the Belfast men, who adapted less easily.

A driving maul extended the lead with Matty Glen getting the touch down. This was shortly followed by a third try for the Evergreens from winger Jason Barr in the corner.

Quins didn’t give up and a lapse in concentration saw them score a length of the short pitch try that was converted.

With only a couple of minutes on the clock, Hinch sealed the victory following another great drive into the Quins half and Jonny Wilson drove over near the posts with Bowsie converting.

The Evergreens now have a six-point lead on nearest rivals Bangor. No game this week, but the PSNI are at home on April 23.

Evergreens 24

Harlequins IV 12

LEAGUE

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