Malone throw away an early lead to give Harlequins the win

Malone hosted rivals Belfast Harlequins at Gibson park on Saturday past. The old clique A game of two halves was never better displayed.

The opening half belonging to a strong well organised Malone side who demonstrated a sound strategy, which saw them score three tries, the latter not being awarded as foul play had taken place immediately prior to the score.

Malone opened strongly and took the visitors by surprise. Quins out half Liam Cambridge spurned an early penalty opportunity, however Malone did manage a penalty opportunity on 10 m when James McKinney found the target.

Malone continued to pressure the Quins defence and during an attack Quins clearance kick was charged down and the ball went lose, however James McKinney won the foot race to touch down under the posts and himself with an easy conversion.

Malone now looking full of self belief continued to pile on the pressure but their in disciple left Quins with a penalty which liam Cambridge kicked on 33m.

On 36 m Malone notched up their second try when after some excellent forward pressure the ball was moved at pace wide to the left wing where Rudolph Benade rounded the Quins defender to score an excellent try, which gave Malone a 15-3 lead.

Malone looked to have scored again when scrum half Kelly sold a beautiful dummy and ran in to score, the score was disallowed after the touch judge indicated that foul play had taken place immediately prior to the try, Kelly was shown yellow.

The half ended with Malone ahead by 15-3

The second half saw Quins raise their game and Malone struggled to find their earlier composure, they were forced to defend for long periods and their indiscipline cost them dearly.

Quins struck an early second half blow when they broke out of defence creating an overlap by working the ball through the hands and winger Ewan Strang showed his pace to finish off in the corner.

Cambridge missed the conversion but was successful with a penalty on 49 minutes after a high tackle in midfield.

Malone conceded yet another penalty on 55 m which Cambridge kicked reducing the arrears to a single point.

On 61 m a rampant Quins took the lead when winger Strand combined well with Kettyle who scored in the corner, Cambridge dragged the conversion wide.

Malone also had another scoring chance when Barker broke and hacked on, but the experienced Kettyle got back to cover.

Further indiscipline from Malone saw them concede two further penalties on 79 and 81 which Cambridge slotted over, the final penalty removing Malone’s losing bonus point.

Quins took the win scoring an unanswered 22 points in the 2nd half. Malone after an excellent opening half lost their composure, became indisciplined and concede points when there numbers were reduced.