Round 9
Harlequins 36 d. Les Catalans Dragons 14

2006 English Super League Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

Location: United Kingdom > National > First Grade Competition: English Super League

Harlequins
Matt Gafa [WG] 8 Pts; 4g
Luke Dorn [F8] 8 Pts; 2t
Zebastian Luisi [CT] 4 Pts; 1t
Thomas Leuluai [HB] 4 Pts; 1t
Rob Purdham [LK] 4 Pts; 1t
Danny Williams [SR] 4 Pts; 1t
Louis McCarthy-Scarsbrook [BE] 4 Pts; 1t

Les Catalans Dragons
Mark Hughes [CT] 4 Pts; 1t
Justin Murphy [WG] 4 Pts; 1t
Sean Rudder [F8] 4 Pts; 1t
Julien Rinaldi [BE] 2 Pts; 1g



Sun shines on Quins
Sat April 15, 2006
Source: www.quins.co.uk

Harlequins RL ran in seven tries to three against Les Catalans Dragons at a sun-drenched Twickenham Stoop to record the new club's first home victory in the engage Super League.

Harlequins were visibly boosted by the return from injury of Rob Purdham, Zeb Luisi and Chad Randall, and Mark McLinden, playing just his Second League game, gave the home team added spark.

In the first half Zeb Luisi and Rob Purdham crossed for early tries before Sean Rudder replied for Catalans.

Luke Dorn's try just minutes before the half time interval was on the back of a crafty break by Mc Linden leaving Quins ten in front at the break.

The damage was done mid-way through the second period when the Quins ran in three tries in a fifteen-minute burst. Tommy Leuluai danced over from short range before Danny WIlliams crossed for arguably the Harlequins' best try of the season. Mark McLinden and Rob Purdham combined with the rugged Williams lurking in support fir a gift four points.

Next over for his first try in the top flight was young Louie Mc Carthy-Scarsbrook after a nice inside ball from Mark Tookey.

Catalans centre Mark Hughes and winger Justin Murphy each scored late consolations for the French and Luke Dorn collected his double after a long-range intercept to put the game well and truly to bed.

Quins had lost their first four Super League matches at their new Stoop home but were always too strong for the French side and ran out comfortable winners.

Tony Rea's team took just eight minutes to breach the Dragons defence.

Catalans were penalised for offside and from the resulting play Luke Dorn's inside pass saw Zebastian Luisi escape fragile tackling to score under the posts.

Eight minutes later Quins had a second. New Zealand scrum-half Thomas Leuluai's cross-field kick caused confusion in the Dragons defence, allowing the returning Rob Purdham to score in the corner on his 26th birthday.

Dragons half back Sean Rudder was held up on the line on the half-hour as Catalans finally exerted some pressure and that told a minute later.

Bruno Verges raced clear down the left wing and released Rudder to score.

Mark Hughes went close to a second for the visitors, but having withstood further pressure Quins grabbed a crucial third try on the stroke of half-time.

Quins captain Mark McLinden burst clear from his own half and released Dorn to score in the corner for a 14-4 lead at the break.

Six minutes after the restart Quins extended the lead. Leuluai's quick feet left the Catalans defence for dead and he crossed under the posts.

And with the Dragons defence in disarray Danny Williams started and finished a move involving Purdham and Pat Weisner that saw him go over in the corner on 55 minutes.

Substitute Louis McCarthy-Scarsbrook then came off the bench to grab another after good work from Mark Tookey in the 67th minute.

Hughes reduced the arrears 10 minutes from time, but Dorn added the Quins seventh and final try when he sprinted the length of the field and Matt Gafa added his fourth goal.

Justin Murphy added a consolation on the hooter, but the damage had already been done.

Harlequins RL v Huddersfield Giants, 6pm Saturday 29th April

This promises to be another an action-packed day at the Stoop with a big attendance expected for both games.

There are now less than 500 tickets available for the Double Header taking place at the Twickenham Stoop on Saturday 29th April.

We would therefore advise anyone who requires tickets for this day to book soon in order to avoid disappointment. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Quins ticket office on 020 8410 6000 or online.

On this day, NEC Harlequins will complete their National Division One campaign against Plymouth Albion, kick-off 3.00pm, while Harlequins RL face Huddersfield in round 12 of the engage Super League season, kick-off 6.00pm.

Report source: www.quins.co.uk

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