Dorn torments at former home

Former Castleford stand-off Luke Dorn scored two tries on his return to The Jungle as Harlequins secured a 12-8 victory in their first game of the season.

The Tigers led through a try from debutant James Evans until scores either side of the break gave the away side the advantage.

Despite the best efforts of last season's bottom club, who grabbed a late consolation through Richard Owen, they never recovered.

With only two minutes on the clock tempers flared when the Quins drove to within a few yards of the Tigers line.

An all-in brawl followed and hooker Hudson came away with a bloody nose in what proved to be the highlight of a tentative opening period.

Errors

The Tigers produced some early handling errors which Quins took advantage of by making the early running and dominating possession. But the hosts grew in confidence and broke the deadlock in the 20th minute.

A good spell of possession and neat grubber kick forced the Quins to drop out but the Castleford forwards drove the ball back up the field.

Fast hands saw the ball worked out wide where Joe Westerman sent Evans crashing over with two defenders still hanging on to him. Kirk Dixon failed to add the extras when left with a difficult conversion chance.

Rangi Chase, making his first Super League appearance, impressed with a couple of half-breaks while Westerman saved what looked a certain try with a fine tackle as half-time approached.

But the visitors edged ahead in stoppage-time with a converted try.

Some casual passing from the home side allowed Dorn to intercept and race towards the line, touching down under the posts unopposed. Rob Purdham converted to leave the scores 6-4 at the interval.

Turn-around

Less than a minute after the re-start Dorn added another. At the end of the first set of six, scrum-half Danny Orr kicked through, catching the Tigers defence unaware. Dorn ran onto it and grounded the ball just short of the dead ball line.

Purdham added the extras to give the London side an eight-point cushion.

Castleford rallied but the Quins managed to keep out a number of promising attacks.

Harlequins had chances to add to their lead but saw one effort ruled out for offside, while centre Matt Gafa was held up as he crossed the line minutes later.

Dorn was denied his hat-trick when the referee once again pulled him back for offside after he intercepted and made for the line.

But Michael Shenton's introduction seemed to spark the Tigers to life and he combined with Owen to give the home side a lifeline. Good hands from the centre allowed Owen to score five minutes from time.

But Dixon missed the resulting conversion and Quins held on for a hard-fought victory on the road.