Quins rout sorry Rovers

Harlequins kept their play-off challenge on track with an impressive 40-16 win over Hull K R at Craven Park.

The London-based club ran in six tries during a comprehensive victory as the return of Paul Cooke failed to inspire a lacklustre Robins in East Yorkshire.

Chad Randall, Will Sharp, Dave Howell, Henry Paul and two penalties from Rob Purdham gave the Quins a 28-0 half-time lead as Rovers left themselves with too much ground to make up.

And despite a late fightback from Rovers led by Michael Dobson, Harlequins ran out clear winners to leapfrog their opponents into eighth place in the engage Super League table.

The early stages belonged to Harlequins and Brian McDermott's men needed only eight minutes before they opened their account after hooker Randall barged his way over the line.

Domination

Purdham added the extras and moments later Sharp finished a fluent Quins move following an attempted interception from Jake Webster.

After being handed another set of six, fast Quins hands left Sharp with plenty to do but the winger stepped inside and crashed over - Purdham adding the extras with ease.

Harlequins continued their domination and opened up a 20-point lead in the 14th minute when Howell crossed the whitewash before Purdham fired over a further four points.

Paul forced his way over in the 28th minute following another sustained period of possession as Rovers made their way to their changing rooms staring a heavy home defeat staright in the face.

Dashed

Rovers' controversial stand-off Cooke made his return following a two-game absence for disciplinary reasons, and he made a brief difference as the Robins hit back in the opening minute of the second half.

Following a good set of six from Rovers, Dobson grubbered through towards the Quins line before the ball bounced kindly for Jon Steel, who did well to scoop up and cross the line.

Prop Gareth Haggerty then dashed any feint hopes of a comeback, crashing over after Quins had forced their way to within metres of the line.

The home side then conceded another soft try as Hill sauntered over the line - Purdham went on to maintain his 100 per cent record with the boot as he made it eight from eight.

Peter Fox sprinted the length of the field and Dobson touched down in the closing stages but it proved only to be too little too late for Rovers.