Prof’s Positives Week 25: Farewells & Achievements

By The Prof
February 20 2003

It was difficult to think of anything positive to come out of this tragic week at Harlequins, but thinking about it again we have a lot to discuss.

Although the death of Nick Duncombe was a terrible tragedy the spontaneous outpouring of support for Nick’s family and friends and for his colleagues at Quins was very touching indeed. Nick’s life has already been written about elsewhere so I’ll move on to other things and just say that he will be sorely missed but he will always be remembered by those who were lucky enough to have met him and those that saw him play. Cheers Nick.

While we are on the subject of remembrance mention should go too to another Quins’ scrum half, Major Hugh Fane-Hervey (MC and Bar), who died 9th January 2003, aged 86. He was a tank commander in the Western Desert and Italy and a regular escapee from POW camps in North Africa and Italy. His career with Quins was before World War 2.

But let’s get back to rugby, the major news this week must be Jason Leonard MBE receiving his 100th England cap at a packed Twickenham for the game against France. Seeing Jase running out to a wall of noise and a standing ovation was something wonderful to see on a day full of emotion. He played very well but was forced off with a hamstring injury which will keep him out of the Wales game and perhaps longer. Alongside Jase in the England team were fellow Quins Will Greenwood and Dan Luger. Whenever Dan got the ball in hand he showed his power and pace and made good yards every time. Will’s pass that sent Jason Robinson through for his try was absolutely delightful, a perfectly flighted delivery right into the path of the speeding Sale (sorry Sharks) fullback. Although Hodgson is a quality footballer and has been hailed by some as one of the most inventive players in the English game and his inclusion in the centres was supposed to give England more attacking options all of the inspiration in the backs came from Will.

So England beat France, it was not the best of games but it was a vital one to win, could this be a year when England achieve the illusive Grand Slam? Who knows? But one person who will definitely be hoping they don’t is Paul Burke who came on as replacement for Ireland against Scotland in their first win in Murrayfield for 18 years. Burke has been named on the bench again next week for Ireland’s game against Italy.

After his fine play in the England 7s team in both Brisbane and Wellington Ugo Monye was promoted to the England U21s from the U19 squad and, in a hard fought game against France that England went on to win, Ugo scored twice on his debut, here’s hoping we will see similar form for Quins the next time he plays for the firsts.

The Amateurs 1stXV was the only Quins team to be playing this weekend and they had a resounding victory over Osterley 62-0 with both Benn Richards and Brad Westcott scoring three tries apiece.

On the injury front it looks like Laurent’s injury is recovering well which could mean he might be seen in a Quins shirt again before the end of the season and Roy Winters might make his first appearance of the season after his Achilles injury in the 2nd XV game against the Army on Tuesday February 25th.