Harlequins

Harlequins

Bideford Harlequins is managed by Ben Braddick, and the current captain is Mike Bissett. The second team had a great building year in 2022/2023, with the previous years colts boosting numbers for availability and adding to good regular senior training squad numbers. Ben feels the second team moral is boosted by a good mix of age players and looks forward to bringing last years colts into senior rugby. Anyone interested in playing rugby, feel free to contact Ben, ben@braddicksfurnishers.co.uk, or, 07791211761, and he will be happy to welcome you at training and get you playing.

March 23rd 2024
Bideford Quins travelled away to Honiton on Saturday with a mixed team due to a lot of unavailability's. With crucial positions to fill the warm up went well, with Caelin Carter filling in at hooker. The match kicked off and Quins defence again was a strong point of the game, being put under pressure they managed to keep a keen Honiton side at bay before the scoring began for Quins. Young ex colt Riley Cadwallader has another impressive game and also getting his first senior try. Greg Haste, playing his first game of the season showed well at centre and also touched down, as did second half replacement, Simon Gas Mitchell, who had a great first half running the line. Big Crampy was impressive at 8 with his big ball carrying but star of the day was hooker Caelin Carter, getting two tries and converting four excellent conversions resulting in a final score of 33-12 to Quins.

March 16th 2024
Bideford Quins travelled to Ilfracombe on Saturday for a local we derby game. With Quins one place above in the league it was looking to be a tough game. With wet and in places boggy pitch conditions the going was tough, with Ilfracombe having some big ball carriers it kept Quins on a defensive first half. At half time Quins were 23-10 behind following a good try from Sam Olde and the excellent boot of Caelin Carter providing the points. Losing Harry Jones to a shoulder injury and Sam Shuttleworth just before the break Quins knew they had a tough half ahead. Corey Illing joined the pack and impressed having not played there before and young colt Riley Cadwallader, having his first senior game, thoroughly enjoyed his time and impressed manager Ben Braddick who looks promising for next season. Quins came out in the second half well, with Arthur Souch and Danny Braddick working tirelessly around the pitch, resulting in Jordan Taylor going over to score with Carter again adding points from a difficult kick. The last ten minutes was lively but Quins couldnt quite finish with a win resulting in a 23-17 final result.

January 13th 2024
Bideford Quins manager Ben Braddick was determined to get a fixture last Saturday 13th following a last minute call off by Exmouth the week before. Eventually managing to get a fixture, Quins travelled to Exeter Saracens with a good squad. Having a quick wake up call after going 8-0 down, Joey Faulkner went over to touch down followed by Jordan Taylor with Faulkner converting , taking Quins into half time trailing 21-12 following a frustrating first half. Following a good chat at half time Quins started to play some good rugby, with good performances by Danny Braddick at 8, Sam Olde at 15 and Joey Faulkner at 9, but it was Big Billy Teape who made the second half with three excellent tries and Joey Faulkner getting another and converting leaving a final score of 34-21. Manager Ben Braddick was delighted with a great squad effort and coming away with five valuable league points.

December 20th
Bideford Quins were back to league action on Saturday at home against Tiverton. With a large squad to pick from Quins were feeling confident however Tiverton, with a mix of youth and experience gave them something to think about. With a touthful back row of Fin Cackett, Danny Braddick and Brodi Brennan-Wilson, Tiverton had their work cut out with all three showing well in set piece play and turning over any ball possible. This enabled a good back line to run some good rugby.The reliable boot of Caelin Carter was put to good use again slotting over two early penalties before tries came from Charlie Russell, Brodi, Mitch Harris, Nick Dawkins and Ethan Paddon with fly half Jordan Taylor adding the conversions. Another good performance resulting in a final score of 35-11, taking 5 points for their efforts. They now move onto Boxing day with a trip to Barnstaple.

November 11th
Bideford Quins had no fixture this weekend however Topsham were happy to travel to Bideford to play a friendly. Turning up with a large squad,Quins were looking at a tough challenge. Quins had a few players coming back from injury, one being last years colts captain Brodi Brennan-Wilson who was keen to impress. Another of last years colts, Callum Duhig started the scoring offwith a great try with Caelin Carter adding the conversion, his dedication at training is showing each week. Sam Olde fancied a run out and proved he has lost none of his skill adding great experience to the back line and getting a try for himself. Other scorers were Nick Dawkins, captain Mike Bissett finding himself on the wing and finishing off, Tim Denford, Archie Raymont, Callum Duhig again with Sam Olde getting another conversion. Final score 36-5 with Tim Denford picking up man of the match.

November 18th
Bideford Quins were due to host Exeter saracens and get their merit table game going, however saracens called off leaving Quins scratching around for a game. With the poor weather from the last week, manger Ben Braddick arranged a home game under lights against Bude 2nds after the 1st team game. Having a large crowd Quins were out to impress. Both teams startedwell but after a few set piece moves Danny Braddick made a break to open the scoring. Ben Short, another player who is growing in confidence, was next to touch down and went on to impress with Caelin Carter again showing his kicking skills. Hooker Zach 'Taffy' Powell was next to score with Mitch Harris and Harry Jones following on. Final score was 24-0 to Quins which was a great team performance having a great mix of experience on the bench to come on, Olly Sanders, Jamie Giddy,Sam Olde to name a few. Danny Braddick and Ben Short both had impressive games but man of the match went to Billy Teape.

Update 23/10/2023
Bideford Quins travelled to Exeter engineers on Saturday. Following a few weeks of close games quins were hoping to start where they left off last season. However this was not to be, engineers had an excellent youthful team with a very quick set of backs. With Billy Teape and Sam Shuttleworth both having good performances in the centres they had no reply for the pace of engineers. Quins pack did well to secure their own set piece play and with player coach Tom Skelding putting his boots back on, added some good experience for the other players. Danny Braddick was nominated man of the match by engineers following a good performance in the back row. Tries came from Tom Skelding and Billy Teape with Caelin Carter converting both. Final result was 62-14. Manager Ben Braddick is however more than confident that wins are coming and they can carry on as they left last season.