Welcome to a new season at the Quins. This has been a particularly testing 12 months when we have faced some of the toughest trading conditions in the Club’s history. Apart from the general economic climate, we also had the worst winter weather for over 30 years and this hit turnover very hard. As a result your Committee has been forced to make some radical changes to the structure and operation of the Club. The role of full time live in Steward has been made redundant, and negotiations are well advanced to try and turn the kitchen/flat into an income stream (rather than just cost) by leasing it to a commercial catering company.New arrangements are in place to operate the bar and to provide after match meals with much of it supplied by Claire acting as an independent self employed caterer. The Club will step up its efforts to attract outside functions and generate additional turnover so that we can get back into the black. There may be some initial teething problems with our new arrangements, but we ask everyone to be understanding, bear with us and support our efforts to save the Club! Have a good season.

Harlequins Word October 2010

CH-CH-CHANGESChairman’s Message

by Phil Judd

Cardiff Quins girls teams (U15 and U18) started the 2010/11 season at the WRU National 10’s Competition held in Llandovery.

The U15’s had a round robin competition with the top 2 qualifying for the final. With so many girls moving up to u18’s from last year’s u15 squad , meant this was a new squad of players and expectations were unknown. Despite this unfamiliarity, the u15s stormed their way to the title, defeating Neath Athletic, local rivals Cynon Valley, Newport and Crymych in the group stage. Crymych were also the opposition for the final, but were unable to compete with the speed, skill and commitment of the Quins side. Excellent ball retention at the breakdowns enabled the Quins to create space out wide time and again. Meg Jones led the way with 4 tries and 1 conversion and Rachel Morris added another try in a convincing 27-0 win.

WRU 10’s U15 Champions 2010/11 - Cardiff Quins Squad – Megan Jones, Amy Thomas, Chloe Brock, Katie Clark, Kayleigh Cushing, Kasia Davies, Georgia Fricker, Angharad James, Bethan Lewis-Watling, Rachel Morris, Sam Morris, Sophie Waugh.

The U18’s competition was split into 2 pools with the top 2 progressing through to the semi-finals. In their pool, Quins faced Colwyn Bay, Newport and a highly anticipated clash against Cynon Valley. Having despatched Colwyn Bay Newport without conceding a single point, they were left to face Cynon Valley. With both sides knowing each other’s strengths and gameplans it was a tight contest, but the Quins were duly

rewarded for their efforts with tries for Jo Jones and Thea Lawson leading to a 12-0 win. These results saw the Quins in top place after the pools and into a semi final v Haverfordwest who they promptly defeated 29-5 victory to book a place in final against a very strong Neath Athletic side. The Quins started the final slowly and due to poor defensive work quickly found themselves 10-0 down. Despite an improved showing in the 2nd half and tries for Cerys Ballett and Lowri Morgan, they could not make the final breakthrough and the final was lost 10-15.

The season started in earnest a week later when Thornbury were hosted at the club. Quins U15’s took on a combined Thornbury/Newport side in a high scoring clash, emerging 31-17 winners. Points were scored by Megan Jones (2T, 3C), Sophie Waugh, Kayleigh Cushing and Georgia Fricker.

Meanwhile the U18’s were played a fiercely contested match against a combined Thornbury/Chipping Sodbury

side. The game was finally decided in the final few minutes when some good handling released Thea Lawson on the wing, who with a pass back inside, beat the final defender and allowed Cerys Ballett to score under the posts to give the hosts a 26-22 victory.

Any girls (school yrs 8/9/10 (u15) or yrs 11/12/13(u18)) interested in playing rugby are welcome to turn up training on Weds eves 7.00pm start, or please contact Owen on quinsgirls@aol.com or mob 07967 129632.

GIRLS GRAB FIRST SILVERWARE OF THE SEASON Quins Girls report

by Owen Smith

October Fixtures

Date Competition

3.10 Drybrook (A)

10.10 Cardiff Blues v Scarlets

17.10 Cirencester (A)

31.10 North Wales v Blues

Fixtures

After winning the Welsh Lacrosse League, the Cardiff Harlequins were invited to the European Club Lacrosse Championships, to be hosted this year in sunny Manchester. For those of you unfamiliar with lacrosse, this tournament is lacrosse’s answer to the Champions League, just with smaller crowds, no lucrative TV deal, and the ability to tenderise the opposition with a metal stick.Our aim for the tournament was to gel as team while putting into practice everything we worked on over the summer. We hit the bulls eye, recording wins over the best clubs that Spain and the Czech’s could throw at us. We ran Wilmslow (current trophy holders and British juggernauts of lacrosse) very close, surprising both ourselves and the rest of the tournament in the process. It wasn’t to be a fairy tale ending, we didn’t leave with the silverware, however we did leave with a positive attitude, a tonne of confidence and a consolation plaque.

EUROPEAN CHALLENGE FOR LACROSSELacrosse Mens 1st team report by Rhodri Stanford

Having hit pre season hard, the ladies team launched their season’s campaign against Neath followed by a long day out to Dolgellau - a beautiful part of the world and where the welcome was extremely warm! Unfortunately both games ended in defeat with our team captain being so badly injured in the Neath game that she will be out for the season. In fact, we’ve had so many injuries, the ladies team is functioning without a front row at the moment! We continue however to play the beautiful game and are actively recruiting. This season we’ll be heading into English territory in December to play a game in Southampton, and at the end of the season have accepted an

invitation for a weekend of rugby in Brest over the May bank holiday. Through October we’re training twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays as a trial – we hope the extra time will allow us to give our new recruits a chance for some extra development.The team continues to welcome back and support its world cup squad members who finished their 2009/2010 rugby season in September! The team and the club are extremely proud to have so many of its ladies team representing Wales at the World Cup. Caryl James was sent over in no small part by Catrin Edwards for a superb try against New Zealand (see picture) – and I am proud to

FRONT ROW FRUSTRATIONS FOR LADIESLadies team report

by Andrew McCarthy

be able to say ‘I was there!’We have work to do and are still on the lookout for recruits – I can be contacted as follows: quins@clanmccarthy.co.uk or 07970 921075.

A date for the diaries – a eve of Six Nations Dinner at the Village Hotel on Friday 11th March where we will welcome guest speakers from Wales and Ireland, hosted by Scrum V’s Rick O’Shea….all proceeds besides a charity donation will be heading to the club. A great speaker line up will be announced shortly, we have 300 spots to fill so get in early….

The Quins started the season full of optimism after last year’s campaign, although the curse of the captaincy struck when Xavier Thomas broke his hand playing touch rugby. First up were St Josephs, who brought a big side to the Diamond Ground, Matt Moore scored the first try of the season and helped us beat the Joes 25-19.

Quins travelled to Barry in good spirits, but were quickly brought down to earth by a very good Barry side who ran out winners 37-3. Captain Leighton Davies said although it was a poor performance, the trick was to make sure it was the first and last one of the season!

Next up were Treherbert, and after a slow start Quins got a well deserved bonus point win, with Matt Moore again in fine form scoring two tries in a 30-8 win.Another home game and another local derby against Llandaff and again Quins scored some good tries but could not get the bonus point they wanted in a 26-12 win. So a solid start to the season and with more players due to return from injury, things are looking good so far for the First XV.

CAPTAIN’S CURSE STRIKES AGAIN1st XV report

by Dave Rees

SECONDS START STRONGLY2nd XV report

by Richard Jenkins

The Quins 2nds have got off to a winning start, with an exceptionally good performance against Llandaff on the first weekend of the new season. There was a good mixture of youth and experience that proved too strong for the opposition.

The youth team kicked off their campaign in the Cardiff & District Cup with a heavy defeat against a strong St Joseph’s side. With little preparation and a side of mixed ages, containing first year youth boys playing out of position, the Quins gave a good account of themselves but ultimately went down 55-5. The Joes had the benefit of a strong bench, which proved too good for the Quins. However despite the realisation that the game was lost, the Quins were rewarded with a deserved consolation try, scored by left wing Ewan Thomas. The following week saw an away tie in the East District Cup against Dinas Powis, but owing to the unavailability of 9 players from the previous week, the Quins fielded a side with only 4 recognised backs the lads and fell 38-0.

However, quin’s first win of the season was just around the corner with the visit of Taff’s Well for a friendly. Constant pressure and possession resulted in Rhys Patchell sending Sean Payne through to open the scoring under the posts but it seemed to lull the home side into a false sense of achievement and the Quins’ play became static and lacklustre allowing the visitors to draw level and the score remained close until halftime. Some stern words and guidance from the coaches and a few player changes were made at the break and the Quins started the second half with a much better focus and some good go-forward carries by Sam Barker and Ollie Rendall created quick rucks in the opposition half. Tries followed by the returning Jac Hopkins and Aled Roberts,

both converted by Rhys Patchell whose kicking at goal and out of hand was exceptional. The game was rounded off by an inspired performance and try by Ollie Rendle, who stole possession in the tackle within his own half and raced away to score and give the home side a deserved final score of 41 - 14.

After-match celebrations continued with the boys at the club, with the added dimension of Fancy Dress. “Bring on the League” was the final call.

YOUTH ON THE UPYouth report

by Brian Patterson

This sees the beginning of the tenth season for CRICC here at the Diamond Ground. Although it is early in the season, the Under 12 District Festival has already been held at Llandaff on Sunday, September the 26th. CRICC succeeded in winning their original pool as follows: won 10—0 v Llantwit Major and won 5—0 v St. Josephs but then lost 0—10 in the quarter-final to Cowbridge.Two members who have been selected for the District are Dylan Lawley and Max Llewellyn [pictured above] - no prizes for guessing who Max`s father is! The squad has a new coach, Alex Lewis, who plays number eight for the Quins first team and who recently started work as a teacher at Ysgol Pwll Coch. Alex lives locally and was a CRICC member himself in his younger days. With the obvious increase in demand for Welsh medium education, there is no problem attracting enough players to the youngest CRICC squad, under 7. Over 30 children have shown an interest. Unfortunately, no Welsh speaking parent has been able to commit himself or herself to coach the squad, and the Secretary is therefore filling the gap at present. A number of parents are helping, one of whom was once a captain here at the Diamond Ground, namely Garmon Emyr. If you know of any Welsh speaker who would be interested in coaching the youngest chidren, please inform the CRICC Committee.

DECADE AT THE DIAMOND GROUNDCRICC report

by Huw Jones Dyma ddechrau degfed tymor CRICC, yma ar Faes Diamond. Er ei bod yn gynnar yn y tymor, mae Gwyl Dan 12 yr Ardal wedi ei chynnal yn Llandaf ar Fedi`r 26ain. Llwyddwyd i ennill y grwp cyntaf fel hyn Ennill 10—0 v Llanilltud Fawr ac ennill 5—0 v St. Josephs. Wedyn chwarae`r Bontfaen yn y rownd gogynderfynol a cholli 0—10.

Dau fachgen sydd wedi llwyddo i gael eu dewis i garfan yr Ardal yw Dylan Lawley a Max Llewellyn a welir isod. Dim gwobr am dybio pwy yw tad Max. Hyforddwr newydd i`r garfan yw Alex Lewis, sy`n chwarae wythwr i dîm cyntaf y Cwins ac yn ddiweddar wedi dechrau ei waith fel athro yn Ysgol Pwll Coch. Mae Alex yn byw yn lleol ac wedi bod yn aelod o CRICC ei hun pan yn blentyn. Gyda`r twf amlwg mewn addysg drwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg , `does dim problem denu digon o chwaraewyr i garfan ieuangaf CRICC, dan 7. Mae`n siwr fod dros 30 o blant wedi dangos diddordeb. Yn anffodus nid oes rhiant sy`n siarad Cymraeg am ymrwymo ei hun i`r cyfrifoldeb o hyfforddi`r garfan, ac felly rhaid i Ysgrifennydd y Clwb lenwi`r bwlch ar hyn o bryd. Mae nifer o rieni yn ei helpu, sy`n cynnwys cyn gapten yma ar Faes Diamond sef Garmon Emyr. Os gwyddoch am siaradwr Cymraeg fyddai`n hoffi hyfforddi`r plant ieuangaf rhowch wybod i Bwyllgor CRICC os gwelwch yn dda.

Dylan Lawley

Max Llewellyn

Alex Lewis

The Supporters’ Club was resurrected 3 years ago and now has 29 members who meet after every home game and look to help the Club and players as required. Under the Chairmanship of the popular Ashley Williams, a 42” flatscreen TV has been purchased for the Downstairs Bar so far this season. Most member are former club players with ages ranging from mid-thirty to over eighty and would be delighted to pass on their experience and advice as required. It is interesting to note that last season’s Supporters’ Club ‘Player of the Year ‘ - Steff Ellis has been proving his versitility by appearing as a flanker and centre since the signing of hooker Leighton Davies.

NEW NAME, SAME SPIRITCRICC Harlequins u14s report by Peter Davies

CRICC Harlequins u14s see some changes this season having made the move away from the Welsh Language medium and now bearing the emblem of the Harlequins.The most enlightening thing is that looking around the squad around 75% of the boys have been together now for around 5 years and the togetherness has certainly shown in their first two games of this season; a closely contested defeat to St Albans followed by a twelve try romp over the new outfit at Old Illtydians. What has been mostly evident in the first month of the new season is the flourishing skills of the players combined with the new and advanced coaching techniques led by Geraint Roberts who has shown great dedication and often patience over the past 6 years and in turn he and his colleagues have helped develop not only a well drilled and organised squad but also a great sense of team spirit. All looks very promising for the rest of the 2010/11 season.

THOUGHTS FROM THE TOUCHLINESupporters Club report

by John David

There are 2 parking spaces which are dedicated to Blue Badge holders ONLY. The spaces are very clearly marked so please do not be selfish and park there if you are not a Blue Badge holder.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

bLUE BADGE PARKING SPACES

From 01 October normal Club opening hours are;

Training nights (downstairs bar)

Tuesday 1900 to 2200

Wednesday 1800 to 2000

Thursday 1900 to 2230

Sunday 1000 to 1200

Match Days

Saturday 1230 to 1730 (Upstairs)

Saturday 1600 to 2000 (Downstairs)

Sunday 1000 to 1600 (Upstairs)

These times are subject to modification once we see how they work out.

CLUB WINTER OPENING HOURS

Useful Information

Cardiff HSOB RFC The Diamond Ground Forest Farm Road Whitchurch CARDIFF CF14 7JH Tel: 029 2069 3552

Mens Rugby: cardiffharlequins@hotmail.com Ladies Rugby: quinsgirls@aol.com

Lacrosse:admin@cardifflacrosse.co.uk

Mens Rugby Website:www.chsobrfc.co.uk

Ladies Rugby Website:www.chsobrfc.co.uk/women

Lacrosse Website: www.cardifflacrosse.co.uk

Newsletter editorial: laxwill11@yahoo.co.uk