In-form Quins tame Wildcats

Harlequins continued their recent good run in the engage Super League with a 24-17 win over Wakefield at the Twickenham Stoop.

The home side led 12-11 at the break but pulled away in the second half in a battle between two sides with play-off credentials.

The victory is Quins' third in a row and pushes them up to fourth in the table. They also have a game in hand on those currently above them.

David Howell and Luke Williamson grabbed tries that were converted by Rob Purdham after the break to help open up a comfortable cushion.

Topsy-turvy

For the first 40 minutes Quins had been pushed hard with the lead changing hands on no fewer than four occasions in a topsy-turvy half.

It was the Wildcats who struck the first blow after six minutes when Danny Brough accepted Danny Sculthorpe's long pass and raced through to the line.

The conversion attempt was missed by the try-scorer as a strong wind and driving rain made life hard for both sets of players.

Eventually the hosts came to terms with the conditions and got themselves on the scoreboard when Luke Dorn glided over after good work by Williamson.

However, Quins' advantage lasted only seconds as straight from the kick-off Wakefield gained possession and Richard Moore rumbled over under the posts.

Having earlier gone close to scoring himself, Danny Orr turned provider when his clever kick was gratefully accepted by winger Will Sharp to level matters.

Purham added the extras but a Brough drop goal just before the hooter meant there was just a point between the teams at the interval.

Mistakes

The Wildcats never managed to find their form in the second half, though, too many mistakes stopping them from gaining any real momentum.

Quins capitalised with Howell going over and then a smart piece of thinking by Chad Randall, who caught the defence cold by running on the last tackle, set up Williamson for a fourth home try.

Purdham's pair of conversions made it 24-11 but Wakefield continued to battle on bravely, raising hopes of a comeback when Tony Martin touched down.

The centre's try, which was converted by Brough, proved to be no more than a consolation though, as Quins held on to claim the two points.