O'Shea - Top four out of reach

Harlequins director of rugby Conor O'Shea admitted his side's hopes of a top-four finish in the Aviva Premiership are all but over.

Tait delighted after another important win

Harlequins director of rugby Conor O'Shea admitted his side's hopes of a top-four finish in the Aviva Premiership are all but over following their 33-18 defeat at Newcastle. O'Shea said: "Newcastle did a number on us. Our set-piece didn't function and we never got any momentum going against a good Newcastle side who are very tough to play here. "Top four was the target in the Premiership and that now looks beyond us unless there are some mathematical acrobatics and we are now looking at top six." The defeat left Quins in seventh place, a point behind fourth-placed Bath, who crucially have three games in hand. The win means Newcastle are now just one point behind Sale in the Premiership as they built on their victory at Leeds last weekend. Head coach Alan Tait said: "I'm more than satisfied and the only criticism I have is that our impact players could have done better when they came off the bench, but I'm really delighted. "We were a bit nervy at the start, but the players have put in a lot of hard work this week and they dug deep and got the result they deserved. "(Assistant coach) Paul (Moriarty) is getting this pack to do what he wants now and it is looking really strong and powerful. "Are we safe? It depends on what Leeds do, but we're now hunting down Sale."