Capital benefits for Wigan

Wigan finally broke their duck in 2009 as two tries in the dying stages sealed a thrilling 24-18 win over Harlequins at the Twickenham Stoop.

With five minutes to go and trailing 18-14, it appeared the Warriors would be set to suffer a fourth straight defeat at the start of Super League XIV.

However, scores from Amos Roberts and a second of the night from Shaun Ainscough sealed a crucial result, particularly for under-fire coach Brian Noble.

Quins will wonder just how the points slipped from their grasp having led 10-6 at the break and then 18-14 with just five minutes to play.

Turning point

The turning point of the contest came when Roberts picked off a floaty pass from Chad Randall to cross for his first try in the Cherry and White colours.

Pat Richards kicked the conversion to put the visitors in front 20-18 before the impressive Ainscough sealed the result in the final minute.

Relief must have been the over-riding emotion for the travelling band of fans at the final hooter having feared for so long that Quins would follow Wakefield, Hull FC and Castleford in beating Noble's side at the start of the new season.

Wigan had trailed at half time due to two quick-fire scores for the home side which cancelled out Ainscough breaking the deadlock on 13 minutes.

Randall replied by dropping on a loose ball after a number of players had treated it like a hot potato, Danny Orr slotting over the conversion.

Within a matter of minutes Matt Gafa had put the home side ahead with a simple run-in on the right, though this time the extras were missed.

The lead could have been even greater for Quins had Chris Melling and David Howell not been denied at the last, and Wigan made their rivals pay for missed chances with a fast start to the second half.

Quick-fire double

Within 28 seconds of the re-start Carmont had scored, the centre set free by a spectacular pass from Ainscough before he went out of touch to cap off a line break from fellow youngster Sam Tomkins.

Harlequins barely touched the ball before conceding again, Phil Bailey ploughing his way through, but the game took another twist shortly after the hour mark.

Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook showed tremendous strength to get over, despite the attentions of three defenders, and level matters at 14 apiece and when Melling was set up by Orr, Wigan fans must've feared the worst.

In their time of need a helping hand came in the form of Randall's careless ball out wide, Roberts cashing in before Ainscough scored another to finally give the Wigan fans something to smile about.