The Brantford Harlequins men’s team got a boost Tuesday, beating a travelling team from England’s Durham University 14-5.

The Harlequins hosted the university side at George Jones Fields, in a fast and physical encounter with a side that has previously produced such rugby notables as English captains Phil de Glanville and Will Carling.

Harlequins coach Dave Knowles said he had expected a tough game from the Durham boys and that it had been beneficial development for his Canadian crew to tackle a team from the motherland of rugby.

“This is something we need more of. That was good rugby,” Knowles said. “They were what I expected. They were excellent in the tackles. We had a hard time bringing them down.

“We were slow to start. The second half was a totally different story.”

The first half saw both teams probing, testing each other’s defences and getting some opportunities out wide.

The Harlequins had the best chance at scoring in the first, with fly half Steve Piatek chip kicking the ball ahead and regathering it himself before offloading to winger Peter Jokic for a nice break down the sideline.

Regardless of both team’s efforts, the scores were locked 0-0 at half time.

Midway through the second half, the deadlock broke when the Harlequins outside backs finally found some holes themselves.

The ‘Quins first try came when winger Marcus Mitchell broke down the left-hand side of the field, fending off four would-be tacklers before scoring in the corner. Piatek kicked the conversion and the home team led 7-0.

Ten minutes later Mitchell was at it again, this time after Rory McDonell drew one defender before sending a wide pass to his winger who ran in an easy five points. Piatek’s radar was good again and the Harlequins led 14-0.

Durham finished the game with a small morale booster after Rob Milady scored after a long period of phase play by the visitors. The conversion attempt was unsuccessful.

Fergus King, team manager of the university side, said the Harlequins had given his team a strong test of their skills at the end of a three-week tour of North America.

“They’re a very good side,” he said. “They’re young and fit. The best part of their game is they have a back three that work together.”

The Harlequins first-grade men’s team is currently ranked fifth in the Ontario Rugby Union’s Marshall Premiership. Their next home game is this Saturday against the Oakville Crusaders at 3 p.m.