First Final on Tuesday

By AlanQuin
April 25 2004

The Parker Pen Challenge Cup and the Madejski Stadium are to come, but the first chance of silverware falls to Quins’ 2nd XV...

On Tuesday evening at Franklin Gardens in Northampton, they will go into the second leg of the first final of the Zurich A League with an excellent chance of bringing home the trophy. That would be the first real success for the club since that memorable day in the Madejski Stadium three years ago when we won the European Sheild.

Despite the 28 – 15 points lead which Quins take into the match, they will go all out to win the game rather than rely on the 13 point cushion from the first leg. That Saints want to win this encounter is clear from the strengthening of the team announced on their website, which announced:

“Northampton Saints' fly-half Shane Drahm has been drafted into the Wanderers squad for Tuesday night's final against Harlequins IIs. The former Queensland Reds player did not get off the bench in Sunday's Saints' victory over Bath and is therefore free to train with the Wanderers this week. Other Saints regulars who are expected to feature in the Wanderers squad are Chris Budgen, Tevita Taumoepeau, Oriol Ripol and Jon Phillips.”

Quins can expect to have their full 2nd XV with Tom Williams and Adrian Jarvis returning from injury as well as Josh Taumololo, Tom Allen, Kai Horstmann, Chris Cracknell and Luke Sheriff all available.

I would expect to see Quins play in the fast running style which has characterised their play throughout the season and had brought them nine wins from eleven games with an average of nearly 40 points a game. But it will not be easy in the face of what is likely to be a strong team strongly supported by a vocal fan base.

The team needs support and I would hope for a good supporters’ turnout for what promises to be a notable occasion.

The match starts at 7.45 p.m. There is an admission charge of £5 at the gate.