Wolves lose home record

High-flying Warrington have suffered their first home defeat of the Super League season, the Wolves going down 8-6 to Harlequins.

Brian McDermott's side had real injury worries coming into the match against the high-flying Wolves, with the likes of Mark McLinden, Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook and Daniel Heckenberg all sidelined.

But the visitors placed such mitigating circumstances to one side and ultimately proved better at adapting to the dreadful conditions - the pitch a quagmire at the start of play - to record their second successive win at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.

Gareth Haggerty scored Quins' try in the opening period, with a second-half effort from Paul Johnson giving hope to the home faithful that Warrington could mount a late comeback.

But with the likes of the hard-running Rob Purdham - whose clattering hit on Michael Monaghan after 66 minutes summed up the visitors' graft - on show, Harlequins held on for a victory that places them fifth in the table.

The game was characterised by handling errors aplenty, with the mud and frequently driving rain creating lots of turnover ball and little in the way of real chances.

Nevertheless, after Jon Clarke was penalised for placing his hands in at the ruck after 19 minutes, Henry Paul kicked his 13th penalty of the season to place the first points on the board for Quins.

The visitors then had David Howell sin-binned - and placed on report - after 23 minutes when he clattered back first into Monaghan.

Advantage

With the man advantage, Warrington started to make inroads and Haggerty subsequently gave away a penalty for interference deep in Quins' territory.

However, with Vinnie Anderson being held up over the line, the Wolves were unable make their possession pay.

As the first half progressed it was apparent that Quins were proving better able to adapt to the conditions.

They also seemed up for the fight, with the bundling of Matt King into touch on the half-hour prompting scenes more associated with an actual score.

Nothing came from the resulting set but, with Howell back on the field, Harlequins continued to look the more likely to score.

The opening try finally came just one minute before half-time - Haggerty intercepting a Monaghan pass before ploughing through the mud to touch down under the posts.

Paul kicked the extras to place Harlequins 8-0 ahead at the interval, a state of affairs which noticably spurred the home side in the opening moments of the second half.

But they soon ran out of steam - Wolves' best effort being a promising overlap involving King and Kevin Penny which ultimately saw the ball sliced by the latter into touch.

Back came Quins, with Howell almost going over after 48 minutes.

But with the rain tipping down once more by the hour mark, little play of genuine incisiveness was forthcoming - a break from Tony Clubb being an exception.

Breakthrough

However, Warrington finally got their breakthrough after winning a 67th-minute penalty, the likes of Adrian Morley and Monaghan taking the ball forward before Johnson spun over the line in the right-hand corner.

Chris Hicks made the conversion and with Warrington now just two points behind with 10 minutes remaining, they suddenly scented a snatched victory.

A chance to capitalise came after 75 minutes when, with Quins having been penalised - their markers not being square - Johnson again aimed for the right-hand corner.

However, on this occasion, the visitors' defence held firm and he was bundled into touch.

More chances came, but a forward pass from Monaghan on 77 minutes followed by a knock on in the final minute from Andy Bracek were the signals that Warrington's fightback had fallen short.