Scottish success for Quins

Harlequins got the Magic weekend up and running with a 24-16 victory over Salford City Reds on Saturday.

Luke Williamson, Tony Clubb, David Howell and Luke Dorn got the scores for the ambitious Londoners in Edinburgh.

Triumph takes Quins up to 14 points in the Super League standings, while Salford slumped to their third consecutive defeat and their ninth of the campaign.

Youngsters Stefan Ratchford (two) and Richard Myler scored the tries to give the Reds hope for the future, but for now they remain second from bottom.

To and fro

Williamson showed great strength to go over for his first try of the season just three minutes in at Murrayfield, flattening Rob Parker en route to the line. Purdham kicked the conversion and Quins had an early 6-0 advantage.

But Myler went on to enhance his growing reputation with a dink kick that was pounced upon by Ratchford as Salford levelled the scores just minutes later.

The 18-year-old then turned from provider to scorer with a delicate chip into the in-goal area, which he collected to score just before the ball went dead. John Wilshere failed for the first time with the kick, but the Reds were in control at that stage.

Fatigue and the Scottish sun took its toll on the North West outfit as the half progressed, though, and they were punished when Clubb jinked around a couple of defenders before powering his way to the line on the half hour mark. Purdham kicked the extras and the Londoners went into the interval leading 12-10.

Controversy

Quins found themselves on the back foot for the first 20 minutes after the restart with playmakers Dorn and Danny Orr largely relegated to defensive roles.

But the Reds paid for their failure to make their pressure tell when Dorn's clever inside pass, on one of Quins' rare forays into Salford's half, sent Howell - the two-try hero at Headingley last week - over for the game's fifth try. Purdham converted and the Londoners led 18-10.

Robbie Paul was denied a fairytale try on his 400th appearance in British rugby league with 10 minutes remaining as Clubb got back to force the veteran into touch just before he touched down.

And instead it was Dorn that took advantage of some slack defending from his former team-mates and a favourable refereeing decision when Danny Ward appeared to have lost possession at the play of the ball, to dance his way to the line. Purdham converted and Quins led 24-10.

Myler and Ratchford combined again as the 20-year-old went over for a converted try five minutes from time but it proved mere consolation for the Salford fans.