Armstrong treble sinks Quins

Armstrong: hat-trick hero for Saints

St Helens battled back from a 12-4 half-time deficit to defeat Harlequins 34-16 at the Twickenham Stoop.

Tom Armstrong ran in a hat-trick of tries as Saints, who were already assured of finishing in third place in the table, rounded out their regular season in style.

Not even the absence of several starters, given the weekend off ahead of the play-offs, could stop Royce Simmons' side from gaining revenge for their shock loss at home to the Londoners back in March.

Quins had looked set to finish a disappointing campaign on a rare high note at the halfway stage, only to leak five tries after the interval.

Old Quin

The visitors, with former Quin Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook in their line-up, took the lead after 11 minutes when Armstrong got his first try of the afternoon.

That score was cancelled out soon after, though, when Karl Pryce leapt highest to knock back Luke Dorn's cross kick, allowing Karl Temata to crash over.

Saints should probably have regained the lead on 18 minutes, but Paul Wellens spilled the ball when he had the line at his mercy.

Instead it was Quins who crossed next, Pryce cantering in at the corner after excellent work from Andy Ellis.

Gale slotted over his second conversion to open up an eight-point gap, though only a forward pass to Armstrong and then Mark Calderwood's superb tackle on Lee Gaskell stopped Saints from getting closer before the hooter.

But, rather than be downbeat about their failure to finish their chances, St Helens simple moved through the gears in the second half.

It was a surprise it took them as long as 11 minutes to get the first points after the re-start, with Gaskell scurrying through to touch down his own grubber.

Neat passing

They then hit the front after 57 minutes when neat passing along the line gave Armstrong a clear run to the line.

Scott Hale crashed over from close range soon after and with Thomas Makinson converting, Saints were suddenly 10 points clear of their hosts.

Armstrong helped himself to his third on 67 minutes as the Quins defence fell apart before Quins gave their own fans something to cheer with a consolation effort from Jamie O'Callaghan.

Still it was Saints who had the last word, McCarthy-Scarsbrook marking his return to his old stomping ground with the final try five minutes from time. Thomas Makinson landed his fifth conversion to round out the scoring.