Bridge too far for Quins

There was no Challenge Cup hangover for Warrington and no winning send-off for Brian McDermott at the Stoop.

The Wolves claimed a 36-22 victory just six days after their second successive Wembley success and must now hope it is enough to secure them second place in the table heading into the play-offs.

But it was a disappointing night for Quins coach McDermott, who watched his side slip to defeat in his final match in charge.

Centre Chris Bridge was the star man for the visitors as he grabbed two tries and kicked 12 points.

Both sides made a stuttering start to the game, spilling the ball when in promising attacking positions.

But, after the Wolves were penalised at a scrum, Quins took the lead inside six minutes when Andy Ellis burrowed over from close range after Olsi Krasniqi was held just short.

And that lead was quickly increased, as Luke Gale and David Howell sliced open the Wolves defence, allowing Luke Dorn to scorch over the line.

But, once again, a penalty swung the flow of the game as the Wolves kicked to the corner and from the resulting possession Jon Clarke squeezed over.

The visitors then came close to drawing level, but a superb last-ditch tackle from Jamie O'Callaghan stopped Chris Hicks from going in at the corner.

But David Solomona made no mistake shortly afterwards as Warrington got their reward for a spell of sustained pressure.

Suddenly the Wolves had the upper hand and it was only some impressive close-range defence from the hosts that kept them out.

Warrington should have gone ahead on the half-hour when Vinnie Anderson burst clear, but Richie Myler spilled the ball with the line at his mercy.

And within minutes Quins had done the same, Dorn unable to hold onto a pass after Gale had broken the line.

Fine handling

The visitors took the lead for the first time just before the break, Mike Cooper cashing in after some fine handling from Michael Monaghan - and added another on the hooter through Bridge.

Back came the Quins after the break, Dorn gratefully pocketing a loose pass from Monaghan to stroll over under the sticks.

Warrington steadied the ship once more when Solomona bulldozed over for his second try on 55 minutes, brushing aside four would-be tacklers to score.

And the game was over as a contest just after the hour when Bridge raced clear after intercepting a poor Dorn pass.

To their credit the home side were still looking to put the ball through the hands, and twice the ball eluded Dorn when a clean take would have resulted in a try.

But Dorn was not to be denied, claiming his hat-trick after some enterprising passing allowed the Australian to cruise over in the corner.