Round 9
Les Catalans Dragons 16 l. Harlequins 38

2007 engage English Super League Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

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

Quins' Easter rise
Wed April 11, 2007
Source: www.quins.co.uk

Harlequins Head Coach Brian McDermott, while delighted with his team's performance in the south of France, says the Easter campaign is not over yet.

Maximum points over the Easter weekend elevated Harlequins RL above Catalans Dragons from ninth to sixth position on the Super League table, and back into the play-off mix.

Quins RL survived a late scare by Hull FC to win 30-28 on Good Friday at the Twickenham Stoop and then three days later, scored a comfortable win against Catalans Dragons in Perpignan.

It was Quins' second trip to south-west France in ten days, making their third successive win, all the more impressive.

As McDermott explains, Easter for his team is about much more than just one weekend:

"We have spoken for some time about this period and we must now back it up against Wakefield on Saturday. It's no good us coming this far without another big performance."

Saturday at the Twickenham Stoop will see Quins RL play their fourth game in two weeks, already having taking maximum points from their mini block of games. Further strength of mind and body will be required say's the coach, to get the job done properly:

"If we are as tough defensively as we were against Catalans, we will trouble any side.

"There was a period where we were forced to defend three sets of six on our own line and the team held a strong resolve. Marty (McLinden) made a number of try saving tackles and we weathered not just a storm, but a hurricane.

"We dominated the first half but they came out firing in the second period. They upped the anti and we had to match it. It was a massive defensive effort.

"Full credit to the players for the way they have approached this period. They have all adjusted their diets and have been especially health conscious to help absorb the additional strain. It is certainly paying off."

Next home game

Harlequins RL v Wakefield, 6pm Saturday 14 April, Twickenham Stoop

Match tickets for all home games start at just 12 pounds. Book online or on the phone 020 8410 6000.

News sent by: www.quins.co.uk


Maximum points over Easter for Quins RL
Tue April 10, 2007
Source: www.quins.co.uk

Harlequins enjoy a perfect Easter weekend with victories over Hull FC on Good Friday and Catalans Dragons on Easter Monday.

Maximum points over the Easter weekend elevated Harlequins RL from ninth to sixth position on the Super League table, and back into the play-off mix.

Quins RL survived a late scare by Hull FC to win 30-28 on Good Friday at the Twickenham Stoop, and then three days later, scored a comfortable win against Catalans Dragons in Perpignan.

It was Quins' second trip to south-west France in nine days, making their third successive win, all the more impressive.

With the win Harlequins leapfrogged the Dragons on the Super League table. It was the same winning as last year's corresponding fixture, when Quins also bagged maximum Easter points

Australian half-back Mark McLinden scored a brace of tries as the Londoners followed up their 64-8 Challenge Cup win over Pia with an even more impressive victory over their in-form neighbours at the Gilbert Brutus Stadium in Perpignan.

Brian McDermott's men dominated the first of four meetings with the Frenchmen this season to bring to an end the Dragons' four-match winning run and displace them from sixth place in the table.

Boosted by the return of tough-tackling second rower Lee Hopkins, Harlequins got off to a dream start with a try after only three minutes from winger Jon Wells.

Henry Paul missed the conversion but went on to find the mark with seven other kicks at goal to finish with a personal haul of 14 points.

Winger Thomas Bosc grabbed his sixth try of the season to level the scores and edged the Dragons in front with the conversion but their lead was short-lived.

Two tries in a seven-minute spell midway through the first half from hooker Chad Randall and scrum-half Danny Orr put the visitors in firm control as they established an 18-6 lead.

When McLinden went over for his first try three minutes before half-time, there was no way back for the Catalans.

Winger Dimitri Pelo pulled a try back early in the second half but former Catalans scrum-half Julien Rinaldi restored Harlequins' 18-point lead with his third try for the club.

Dragons prop Adel Fellous, back from injury, scored his first Super League try of the season on 73 minutes and Bosc kicked his second goal but McLinden then grabbed his second as the Londoners finished on top.

Next home game

Harlequins RL v Wakefield, 6pm Saturday 14 April, Twickenham Stoop

Match tickets for all home games start at just 12 pounds. Book online or on the phone 020 8410 6000.

Report source: www.quins.co.uk

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