Pennine League

Division Six West

Cowling Harlequins 18

Odsal Sedbergh A 30

COWLING Harlequins were on the wrong end of a 17-6 penalty count and had two tries disallowed on a day when they felt officialdom was against them.

The hosts were looking forward to the contest after their week off but with eight players unavailable due to work or injuries, Quins had to rely on their new, younger recruits.

With the visitors not arriving until 1.50pm, the match began 15 minutes late, with Cowling soon conceding a string of penalties.

Harlequins held out for five sets until Sedbergh's winger went over for a try, Quins winger Danny Kelly breaking a hand in trying to prevent it.

However, once they got the ball, the home side cashed in, second-rower Brian Vincent powering over for his first try of the season from a pass by hooker Anthony Packer, Scott Cunningham landing the goal from wide out .

Then player-coach Daz Greenwood crashed over for their second try on a crash ball from Packer, Craig Nicholson landing the extras.

Leading 12-6 at the break, Cowling thought they had extended their advantage when Sedbergh coughed up possession, Jordan Powell running in a 'try' only for the referee to call them back for a scrum.

From that, Nicholson found James Bowdin, who was tackled high in grounding the ball, but the referee awarded a penalty rather than a penalty try and sin-binned Cunningham for protesting.

Sedbergh went into an 18-12 lead but Bowdin was not to be denied, scoring a try for Nicholson to level the scores with the conversion, only for the visitors to pull away again.

Jack Naniss-Stodart and man of the match Nicholson defended well for tQuins, while there was great running from James Wildman Archer and Chris Greenwood.

On Saturday, Harlequins face King Cross Park A at Saville Park, followed by a charity pub crawl to aid Quins' newly-formed under-eights team. Interested players should contact Daz Greenwood on 07905-519457.