Articles by Derek Williams

About Derek Williams

A recently-retired actuary, the long-suffering Derek has been a Quins fan for the best part of three decades. More Posts

Saracens 34 Harlequins 26

Yesterday I made the somewhat arduous journey to the Tottenham Stadium with 55,000 other spectators to see the match billed as a showdown between the two great London teams from North and West London. It hurts me to say it but Sarries were worthy winners in an entertaining contest in which Quins [...]

March 26, 2023 // 0 Comments

Six Nation rugby/ England 10 France 53

Like no doubt several million English sports fans yesterday, I settled in front of my snug’s television screen shortly after 4.00pm in order to watch the live build-up to the rugby union clash at Twickenham Stadium between England and France and then the match itself – kick off scheduled [...]

March 12, 2023 // 0 Comments

Champagne Quins

It was pretty much a given that, once discarded from the England squad, Marcus Smith would showcase his talent in the Big Game 14 clash against Exeter Chiefs yesterday. He was man of the match in an emphatic Quins win of 40-5. Quins reversed their losing sequence of 5 defeats in some style. Danny [...]

March 5, 2023 // 0 Comments

Six Nations: Wales 10 England 20

I suspect that when someone begins his tale with a line that – the day before – he had spent the day having a pub lunch and then watching the Six Nations clash between Wales and England on television together with a former England rugby player who made his international debut in Cardiff [...]

February 26, 2023 // 0 Comments

Harlequins 39 Sharks Cell C 29

The game was billed as the last game of Nick Evans, the Kiwi ex-fly half & Quins coach, before joining the England set up for the Six Nations but in truth it was more about South Africa. The Durban Sharks travelled economy class from 34* to 3* temperatures with Kolisi and Eben Etzebeth but no [...]

January 23, 2023 // 0 Comments

RIP David Duckham

Any sports fan – particularly any adherent of rugby union – over the age of fifty will be sad to have learned overnight of the passing on Monday 9th January of the great England centre/wing David Duckham, winner of 36 England caps – 3 with the British & Irish Lions – a [...]

January 11, 2023 // 0 Comments

Harlequins 16 Sale Sharks 24

It’s been a poor start to the year for Quins – losing to Northampton Saints and Joe Marler being banned for 6 weeks, 4 of which are suspended. On top of this they ended 2022 with a defeat by Bristol Bears and Marcus Smith, Louis Lynagh and Tyrone Greene are currently unavailable. Coach Nick [...]

January 9, 2023 // 0 Comments

Harlequins – a Tour d’Horizon

This is not my favourite time of the year – it reminds me of the lockdown with confusion as to what day it is as one blends inevitably into another. Add strikes and universal financial concerns and a war in Europe. Like many I take refuge in sport in general and Harlequins in particular. I am [...]

December 28, 2022 // 0 Comments

Bath 12 Harlequins 19

I have watched almost all of the football World Cup games to date but with little enthusiasm. So the autumn internationals and last night Quins’ victory over Bath Rugby were welcome relief. Quins were without Marcus Smith, who sustained an ankle injury against South Africa and will not play [...]

December 3, 2022 // 0 Comments

Sale 40 Harlequins 19

Ten years ago Sale Sharks’ Ryan Mills was preferred to Owen Farrell for England Juniors. After leaving beleaguered Wasps, Mills is now playing on a wet Manchester night in the Premiership Cup and Farrell is lining up for his 100th England cap against the All Blacks. I am here to report on Quins [...]

November 19, 2022 // 0 Comments

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ITV COVERAGE OF CHELTENHAM

March 14, 2026 // 0 Comments

I am in the camp of watching on tv rather than attending for the 3 Cs: cost , convenience and comfort. With the cost of travelling and attending Cheltenham and last [...]
Max Schmelling/ The Good German

March 4, 2026 // 0 Comments

In the unlikely event that I would be asked to nominate a Great Life on Matthew Parris ‘ show my choice would be the Black Uhlan Max Schmelling. In the 1930s thee [...]
The Tanner Report : Fulham 2 spurs 1

March 3, 2026 // 0 Comments

Prior to Fulham ‘s comfortable win over Spurs (2-1) I watched the big match Revisited featuring Chelsea 1 Arsenal 2 i guess in the early 70s It would be foolish to [...]
The Six Nations

February 24, 2026 // 0 Comments

The Six Nations continues to throw up surprises. England could not bounce back against Ireland , a resurgent Wales gave Scotland à close game with the Millennium Stadium [...]
Brentford 0 Brighton 2

February 23, 2026 // 0 Comments

The heat is off Fabian Hürzeler with Brighton ‘s 1st win in 13 games. Club owner Tony Bloom was not at the G Tech stadium due to a long planned family engagement but had [...]