QUINS MARCH TO TOP OF THE SUPER LEAGUE
Brian McDermott’s revolution continued to gather pace at The Stoop against Huddersfield Giants yesterday as Harlequins moved equal-top with Leeds Rhinos after winning 24-0 – their fourth successive victory, and easily the best run in their short history.
Captain Rob Purdham led by example in both attack and defence but while the home side were impressive, the Giants handed the game to their hosts by committing a number of key errors.
It took hooker Chad Randall just five minutes to stretch over for the opening try after the Giants conceded two early penalties to allow Quins good territory. Henry Paul, back on kicking duty after Purdham knocked his knee against Castleford last week, converted.
With 20 minutes gone Rod Jensen then knocked-on Danny Orr’s seemingly tame end-of-set kick inside his own five-metres. From the resulting scrum, Paul and Orr looped and Australian centre David Howell powered over. Though Paul missed the conversion, the Kiwi soon laced a penalty to take the score to 12-0 at half time.
Giants then stood firm until just after the hour mark when right-winger Shane Elford spilled full-back Mark McLinden’s high kick on his own tryline. From the set of six McLinden took the ball out to the right, flummoxed one would-be tackler with a dummy scissors before straightening and putting winger Rikki Sheriffe away in the corner.
With Paul sidelined, Purdham stepped up to convert from the touchline. Though he did not add to his two tries for the season, Purdham assisted the final try, and must be in England coach Tony Smith’s reckoning for a World Cup place.
Four minutes before the end his hearty challenge dislodged the ball, and the loose forward cleverly shipped to young Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook who gleefully dived under the posts.
Giants’ Jon Sharp was fuming after his team recorded their third defeat of the short campaign. “I am extremely disappointed,” he offered. “They were more enthusiastic than us and worked extremely hard from minute one to the eightieth. We weren’t good enough – we were second best all over the park.”
Harlequins’ coach McDermott had predicted that the Giants’ would be their “toughest test” so far and he was delighted with his team’s work ethic – particularly in defence. “It was a very good result and I’m very pleased,” he beamed. “They were a good team but we were ready for them.” The next test will be Friday’s now top-of-the-table encounter against champions Leeds, and who would bet against the McDermott’s bandwagon trundling on?
Harlequins:
McLinden, Wells, Gafa, Howell, Sheriffe, Paul, Orr, Temata, Randall, Ward, Mbu, Barker, Purdham
Interchange: Rinaldi, Clubb, Heckenburg, McCarthy-Scarsbrook
Giants:
Thorman, Elford, Whatuira, Lolesi, Jensen, Brown, Robinson, Mason, Hudson, Skandalis, Crabtree, Snitch, Wild
Interchange: Gatis, Raleigh, Jackson, Griffin
Referee: Mr I Smith
Brian McDermott’s revolution continued to gather pace at The Stoop against Huddersfield Giants yesterday as Harlequins moved equal-top with Leeds Rhinos after winning 24-0 – their fourth successive victory, and easily the best run in their short history.
Captain Rob Purdham led by example in both attack and defence but while the home side were impressive, the Giants handed the game to their hosts by committing a number of key errors.
It took hooker Chad Randall just five minutes to stretch over for the opening try after the Giants conceded two early penalties to allow Quins good territory. Henry Paul, back on kicking duty after Purdham knocked his knee against Castleford last week, converted.
With 20 minutes gone Rod Jensen then knocked-on Danny Orr’s seemingly tame end-of-set kick inside his own five-metres. From the resulting scrum, Paul and Orr looped and Australian centre David Howell powered over. Though Paul missed the conversion, the Kiwi soon laced a penalty to take the score to 12-0 at half time.
Giants then stood firm until just after the hour mark when right-winger Shane Elford spilled full-back Mark McLinden’s high kick on his own tryline. From the set of six McLinden took the ball out to the right, flummoxed one would-be tackler with a dummy scissors before straightening and putting winger Rikki Sheriffe away in the corner.
With Paul sidelined, Purdham stepped up to convert from the touchline. Though he did not add to his two tries for the season, Purdham assisted the final try, and must be in England coach Tony Smith’s reckoning for a World Cup place.
Four minutes before the end his hearty challenge dislodged the ball, and the loose forward cleverly shipped to young Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook who gleefully dived under the posts.
Giants’ Jon Sharp was fuming after his team recorded their third defeat of the short campaign. “I am extremely disappointed,” he offered. “They were more enthusiastic than us and worked extremely hard from minute one to the eightieth. We weren’t good enough – we were second best all over the park.”
Harlequins’ coach McDermott had predicted that the Giants’ would be their “toughest test” so far and he was delighted with his team’s work ethic – particularly in defence. “It was a very good result and I’m very pleased,” he beamed. “They were a good team but we were ready for them.” The next test will be Friday’s now top-of-the-table encounter against champions Leeds, and who would bet against the McDermott’s bandwagon trundling on?
Harlequins:
McLinden, Wells, Gafa, Howell, Sheriffe, Paul, Orr, Temata, Randall, Ward, Mbu, Barker, Purdham
Interchange: Rinaldi, Clubb, Heckenburg, McCarthy-Scarsbrook
Giants:
Thorman, Elford, Whatuira, Lolesi, Jensen, Brown, Robinson, Mason, Hudson, Skandalis, Crabtree, Snitch, Wild
Interchange: Gatis, Raleigh, Jackson, Griffin
Referee: Mr I Smith
Labels: Brian McDermott, Harlequins Rugby League, Rob Purdham
