Round 13
Les Catalans Dragons 28 l. Harlequins 32

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

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

Harlequins overcome Catalans fightback
Sun May 6, 2007
Source: www.superleague.co.uk

Harlequins RL overcame a second-half Catalans Dragons fightback to register the first win of the engage Super League's ambitious Millennium Magic weekend in Cardiff.

Tries in the final quarter from Paul Sykes and Chad Randall, his second of the afternoon, settled a free-flowing match played under a closed roof.

Quins had led 18-12 at half-time but needed their strong finish after the French side hit back early in the second period.

Quins - who gave a debut to Luke Burgess despite the death of his father Mark, the former Hunslet player, this week - were on the scoreboard within four minutes.

Danny Orr set them on their way as he kicked over the Catalans defence and right wing Andy Smith slid over in the corner to touch down.

Jon Wells increased the lead with a try on the opposite wing just six minutes later after being found in acres of space by playmaker Scott Hill.

Rob Purdham converted both early scores to give the Londoners a healthy advantage but Catalans struck back with two tries in three minutes midway through the opening period.

Full-back Clint Greenshields grabbed the first after breaking through the line and recovering his footing following a stumble.

Quins were caught on the back foot again almost immediately as John Wilson burst through a gap on halfway and sent the supporting Stacey Jones away to score.

Thomas Bosc's conversions brought the French side level but they could not maintain the momentum and Quins got themselves back ahead through Randall.

Catalans slackened off in defence and the Quins hooker dummied to create a huge gap and dive under the posts for another try converted by Purdham.

Catalans were unbowed and responded to take the lead with two tries early in the second half.

Wilson first outjumped the Quins defence to bring down a high kick from Jones and the inspirational New Zealander then claimed his second ? although it owed much to the pace of Justin Murphy.

Winger Murphy was the first to react after a kick from Harlequins' Lee Hopkins was blocked and he raced away to within inches of the line before being hauled down.

The ball was quickly worked out to Greenshields and then Jones, who jinked his way under the posts.

Catalans stepped up the pressure and further increased their advantage when Andrew Bentley crashed over from short range although, crucially, Bosc could not convert.

In keeping with the free-scoring nature of the game, Quins came back again and got back within four points after Mark McLinden stole the ball close to the Dragons line.

Play was switched to the right and Paul Sykes found plenty of room to touch down.

Sykes then turned provider with a quick shovel pass for Randall to claim his second, despite a hint it may have gone forward.

Purdham's conversions put Quins back ahead and the England captain added a penalty for good measure, his sixth goal, in the last minute.

Catalans Dragons v Harlequins RL Post Match on SLTV

Catalans Dragons: (12) 28
Tries: Wilson, Greenshields, Jones (2), Bentley
Goals: Bosc (4)

Harlequins RL: (18) 32
Tries: Smith, Sykes, Wells, Randall (2)
Goals: Purdham (6)

Catalans Dragons: Greenshields, Murphy, Wilson, Mogg, Duport, Bosc, Jones, Casty, Quigley, Chan, A. Bentley, Gossard, Touxagas.
Replacements: McGuire, Ferriol, Guisset, Teixido.

Harlequins RL: Melling, Wells, Sykes, T. Smith, A. Smith, Orr, McLinden, Temata, Randall, Heckenberg, Purdham, Hopkins, Hill.
Replacements: Rinaldi, Grayshon, Gafa, Burgess.

Referee: Phil Bentham (Castleford)

Report source: www.superleague.co.uk

Article: McDermott praises brave Burgess


French connection in Cardiff for Quins
Thu May 3, 2007
Source: www.quins.co.uk

Millennium Magic on Saturday will see Quins play the second of four games in the regular Super League season against Catalans Dragons.

The whole of Super League is set to descend upon Cardiff for a bumper weekend with six 'local derbies' when Millennium Magic kicks off this weekend. An event like this has not been attempted before although given the groundswell of interest it has already received, it will surely be repeated in years to come.

Supporters from all twelve Super League clubs will enjoy a weekend of festivities while their respective teams do battle on the Millennium Stadium pitch. Three games will be played on each day (Saturday and Sunday) and thousands of fans will take in all six games over both days. It is sure to be one magic weekend.

Richard Lewis, the RFL's Executive Chairman said: "This is an amazing event for our sport and its fans and we are set to experience a mouth-watering weekend.

"We want to build on the Rugby League supporters' liking for the Millennium Stadium and the progress Rugby League is making as a sport in Wales."

Harlequins will kick off the event with their game against Catalans Dragons - not quite a 'local' derby but a game which is sure to attract plenty of interest.

Such is the nature of the schedules; it will be Quins' second of four games in the regular Super League season against the Catalans Dragons, which may seem a little confusing to the average fan. Super League consists of 27 rounds. Each of the 12 teams will play each other once at home and once away in the regular season, giving us 22 rounds.

There are five 'extra' fixtures' - one of which is the 'local derby' Millennium Magic game this weekend.

The other four additional fixtures include one home game and one away game against teams which finished in the top six last season, and one home game and one away game against teams which finished in the bottom six last season.

Quins 'extra' fixtures' - in addition to Saturday's Millennium Magic game against Catalans - include St Helens and Salford (top six teams from 2006) and Wigan and Catalans Dragons (bottom six teams from 2006).

The last meeting between Quins and Catalans saw the Londoners annihilate the French to the tune of 38-16 on Easter Monday. It was, however, to be the last victory Quins would have for one month. That high has been succeeded by a 22-22 draw at home to Wakefield, a landslide loss (46-16) at Huddersfield and another heavy defeat (44-6) just last weekend at home to St Helens.

One player quite at home against the French is former Dragons' player Julien Rinaldi: "We will certainly get to know each other over the course of the season. It seems a bit strange playing them again so soon but that's just the way it is.

"It is exciting to be the first game of the weekend in Cardiff and I am very much looking forward to playing on such a big stage."

Tickets for this weekend's Millennium Magic are still available with prices starting from 5 pounds per day for concessions or 10 pounds for the whole weekend.

To buy your tickets from Harlequins Ticket Office 020 8410 6000 be sure to book before 4pm today (Wednesday).

Alternatively, tickets are also available on the day in Cardiff at the Millennium Stadium Ticket Office on St Mary's Street or the Cardiff Arms Park ticket office next door to the Millennium Stadium.

Harlequins RL v Catalans Dragons, 3pm Saturday 5th May, Millennium Stadium.

News sent by: www.quins.co.uk

Thu May 3, 2007
• Quins add Burgess to squad for Cardiff
  

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