Malone inspires Quins

Stand-in captain Chris Malone landed 16 points to guide Harlequins to a victory over London Wasps.

In a nail-biting showdown that saw the lead change hands five times, Quins beat their capital rivals 26-25.

The fly-half landed three penalties, two conversions and a drop goal as well as creating his side's opening try for centre Tosh Masson.

Malone sealed the victory with a 66th-minute conversion after a prolonged period of pressure from the forwards produced a try for replacement back-row forward Tom Guest.

Malone missed two easy late penalty chances and was lucky not to be made to pay when deep into injury time a long-range drop goal attempt from Dave Walder drifted narrowly wide.

Superb

Wasps touched down twice through centre Fraser Waters, while Ireland's World Cup scrum-half Eoin Reddan also scored and centre Riki Flutey slotted a superb first-half drop goal.

However a missed penalty from Danny Cipriani in the 74th-minute denied them the victory.

Masson, in his first start of the season, reacted quickly to latch onto Malone's short probing kick through the middle in the fourth minute and score under the posts.

Wasps replied in the 11th minute through Reddan who picked up the loose ball and ran in from 50 metres after a spill by Quins in their own half.

Danny Care earned a 10-minute spell in the sin bin for stopping opposite number Reddan from taking a quick tap penalty, reducing Harlequins reduced to 14 men.

Wasps took advantage of their superior numbers shifting the ball out to the right for Waters to out-pace the Quins rearguard in a 40 metre run to the line.

The ever reliable boot of Malone saw Quins edge back in front only for Waters to race over for his second try.

However, the tables were turned on Wasps when Reddan was shown the yellow card in the second half and the Heineken Cup champions were made to pay, shipping Guests crucial try.