Gonzalo Camacho and Nick Evans guide Harlequins to secure Amlin Challenge Cup - Rugby News
The Argentinean wings, Gonzalo Camacho and Nick Evans, led the Harlequins to a nail biting victory over the Stade Francais in the final of the Amlin Challenge Cup on Friday, May 20th. The pair displayed an excellent piece of rugby to secure the
all important match with a narrow margin of 19-18 at Cardiff City stadium. Gonzalo scored a much needed try during the 81st minute of match whereas Evans helped his side with 14 points during the match.
The Harlequins were trailing by a handsome deficit in the match with just four minutes left for the final whistle. The Stade Francais were leading by18-12 as their fly-half, Lionel Beauxis, scored on four penalties for his side. Stade Francais had given
the Harlequins a real tough time during most of the match. The eventual winners were left chasing the Stade Francais players all over the field. Julien Dupuy, the scrum-half for Francais was running into the defending lines of Harlequins and dominating.
Talking to media after the match, Nick Evans said that he had dreamt of a performance like this several times. His conversion kick during the 77th minute of the game proved the turning point of the game. Evans credited the whole team for an outstanding
triumph and said it was a team effort. He added, "Credit to the whole team. We never gave up, we got ourselves out of jail, got the win and the silverware we wanted."
Harlequins’ director of rugby, Conor O'Shea, was also very happy with his team’s performance and said all the players contributed to the victory. At the same time he admitted the fact that there were some definite flaws during the first half. He stated,
“We didn't play well tonight. We were alright in the first half but didn't get a lead. I wouldn't say we imploded at the start of the second half but we off-loaded in the wrong parts of the pitch.”
The victory at Cardiff City stadium has also earned the Harlequins a qualification in the next term of the elite Heineken Cup.
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