This weekend marked the start of the return fixtures of the 2024/5 season. After the disappointment of conceding a game last week, Quins were keen to go into the festive break with a big W.

I mentioned when we played Paulines in September that over the years we’ve had some great games with all results definite possibilities. However, this game also gave a clear snapshot of the state of grassroots rugby in England.

It’s clear that OPs are no longer the force that they once were with many of their key players having moved on. They had a decent result last week (albeit a loss) but had been roundly beaten at The Reeves.

Yet it’s hard to know how much we could read into the result of September’s game given Quins took to the field with a squad containing nine players who weren’t involved in the home fixture. A further three positional changes (some made very last-minute due to traffic chaos and [checks notes] over sleeping) meant that two-thirds of the squad were different to a match just 11 weeks earlier.

We knew that OPs were very possibly beatable only if we gelled quickly. Having not had a game in three weeks, how rusty were we? How much would all those changes impact our cohesion?

As OPs kicked off with the sun and wind in Quins’ faces, the initial omens weren’t brilliant. The kick off somehow landed amongst four Quins with nobody taking ownership. Up popped the OPs’ lanky second row to claim the ball and seemingly start their first attack in the Quins 22.

Luckily, we immediately switched on with solid defence allowing Brewer to hack the ball downfield. A foot race led to OPs’ 15 being forced to hack the ball into touch just before his own try line.

That defence would prove to be a regular feature throughout the game… along with our persistent weaknesses – offside, hands in the ruck and high tackles. A fearsome defence and dominant scrum would put OPs under all sorts of pressure only for a silly mistake to let them off the hook. Sort that and we could run away with this game.

Because the good still outweighed the frustrating. Whether it was strong carries from our front five, soft-handed tips out of contact or powerful runs from our backs, Quins definitely had the edge.

When we were on, we played some lovely rugby and scored some gorgeous tries. Unfortunately, our try of the season contender was chalked off for being in front of the kicker. That decision probably evened out with OPs held up try.

So, Quins finish 2024 sitting mid-table in Counties 4. We go into the festive break smack in the middle of a cluster of four teams separated by just three points.

Our first game back is against another of those teams as we replay the Darymple Derby. Victory in that game would keep us in touch with the top4. And as the away fixture proved, a win is very possible. Provided we cut out the stupid mistakes.

MoM: JP (chosen by Old Paulines)
DoD: Freddie Nehls