Yesterday (Sunday 9th January) saw the NEC Harlequins Wanderers play Surrey Under 20's at Aldershot. With many of the Academy players involved in the second team fixture against The Army on Wednesday night (12th January), this proved to be a good opportunity for some of the fringe members of the squad to show their abilities.
Winger Dene Richards got Quins on the scoreboard with a good try. Captain Luke Cousins soon added a penalty and with winger Johnny Wehbe and flanker Darren Clayton adding tries to the tally before half-time, which were both converted by Cousins, Quins went into the break leading 22-3.
The back row due of of Chris Robshaw and Jamie Redmanye scored either side of a Surrey try, before debutant Nick Read claimed a well deserved touchdown.
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With prop Matt Surman, lock Alex Ayling and centre Ben Young all adding tries, Quins came away with a convincing 56-8 victory. This was a very pleasing result with a total of eight players making their debut, with many of them still in the Under 18 age group.
NEC Harlequins Wanderers XV: R. Cooper, C. Turner, J. Reid, A. Hodgkins, A. Ayling, J. Redmanye, D. Clayton, C. Robshaw, J. Gibbs, L. Cousins, D. Richards, B. Young, N. Read, J. Wehbe, N.Ampofo
Replacements: M. Freeman, M. Surman, J. Gunn, G. Pratt, T. Koen, R. Parker, T. Child, L. Lonergan