Dragons fire late at Quins

Les Catalans came from behind to secure a 24-22 victory at Harlequins thanks to a late try from captain Gregory Mounis.

Quins looked in complete control at the break with an 18-6 lead, but despite Australian centre David Howell completing a hat-trick after the interval they still came up short.

Brian McDermott's men had a dream start with Henry Paul crossing after just seven minutes when he raced on to Danny Orr's perfectly-weighted grubber-kick. The former England rugby union international then tagged onthe extras.

The Catalans struggled to keep their discipline in the opening quarter and that led to the next Quins try after 17 minutes.

Aaron Gorrell was penalised for not releasing in the tackle and from the resulting penalty Scott Hill and Orr worked the ball left before sending in Howell.

Howell was at it again five minutes later when Hill and Orr combined to split the Dragons defence wide open and the centre did the rest.

Scuffed

Catalans got back into the match on the half hour after Paul scuffed a goalline drop-out just 20 yards and from the resulting set of six Aaron Gorrell dummied his way over from a yard with Thomas Bosc converting.

But Quins regained control immediately within a minute with the try of the match - Mark McLinden, Hill and Rob Purdham all involved before Matthew Gafa finished off.

The Dragons made a storming start to the second period and reduced the deficit after 43 minutes when left-winger Dimitri Pelo out-jumped Rikki Sheriffe to get on the end of Bosc's bomb and go over in the corner with Bosc converting.

Catalans were level seven minutes later when McLinden knocked-on 10 yards from his own line and former Brisbane forward Dane Carlaw crashed over with Bosc converting again.

Quins regained the lead from their next set of six when Howell completed his hat-trick after Orr looped a pass to him and he went over despite the attention of three defenders.

But Paul was struggling with his kicking and his fourth failure to convert proved to be costly in the 66th minute when Bosc's grubber was touched down by Mounis and Bosc edged the Dragons ahead with his fourth successful conversion.

Sheriffe almost nicked it at the death when he sliced through the Dragons defence but Dwayne Barker was held up over the line and the French side clung on for the win.