Round 16
Harlequins 18 d. Wigan Warriors 8

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

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

Sykes inspires Harlequins to upset win over Wigan
Mon June 4, 2007
Source: www.superleague.co.uk

Paul Sykes claimed 14 points as Harlequins RL grabbed an important psychological advantage over Carnegie Challenge Cup opponents Wigan Warriors.

Both teams grabbed two tries apiece but the boot of Sykes proved decisive as the former Bradford Bulls centre finished with a 100 per cent kicking record.

In contrast, Wigan failed to kick a single goal to allow Quins to draw level with them on 16 points in the engage Super League.

The teams clash again at the JJB stadium on Friday night but the London side will go there full of confidence after bagging their fourth win in five games.

The visitors included Thomas Leuluai in their line-up after he was cleared of a slide tackle against Hull FC last week.

And it was almost inevitable the former Quins man would have a hand in the game's opening try.

With four minutes gone Pat Richards broke down the left-hand side and found Leuluai who played in full-back Chris Ashton to touch down.

Richards missed the kick on goal and was again left frustrated on 15 minutes when he sent a penalty crashing against the left post.

Harlequins weathered the early pressure and enjoyed some decent possession which was eventually rewarded on 28 minutes.

Matthew Gafa's clever pass sent Sykes clear and the 25-year-old converted his own try.

And the home side went into the break even happier when another Sykes kick gave Quins a four-point lead.

Gafa went from provider to finisher eight minutes after the break.

Mark McLinden made the break and former Wigan stand-half Danny Orr set up Gafa to power home under the posts.

Sykes maintained his perfect record with the conversion and hit another penalty to put Quins 16-4 up.

But Wigan refused to roll over and they hit back on 62 minutes when Trent Barrett raced clear down the left to touch down in the corner.

Orr nearly finished the game off but he was hauled down metres short of the try-line.

Instead it was left to Sykes to deliver the final blow when he stroked over his fifth kick of the day after Wigan second-row Gareth Hock was sin-binned.

Report source: www.superleague.co.uk

Article: McDermott wary of Warriors backlash


Much more than a game of two halves
Fri June 1, 2007
Source: www.quins.co.uk

There is a lot of interest surrounding Saturday's engage Super League clash at the Twickenham Stoop. Harlequins will play Wigan, just six days before they meet them again in the quarter final of the Carnegie Challenge Cup.

The Warriors are just two points and two positions above Quins on the table and defeated Quins by just four points earlier this season at the JJB. In July last year at the Stoop Wigan won 26-24, while in September at the same venue Quins grabbed a victory by just one point, 31-30.

Brian McDermott is pleased to have some of his more experienced men back in contention for Saturday: "We're expecting a couple of bodies back in the shape of Henry and Scott but even if they don't make it back, the players who do take the pitch will have a good crack.

"It was a bit backs to the wall last week at Bradford but I was happy with the attitude. I'll be asking for more of the same against Wigan."

There is also the impending match-up between Danny Orr and Thomas Leuluai - two players who headed in opposite directions at the close of 2006. And with Leuluai escaping punishment for an alleged infringement against Hull last round, the match-up should go ahead as planned.

Here's what both Danny and Tommy have had to say about Saturday's game, and life at their new clubs:

How have you settled at your new club?

Danny: I'm having a really good time. It is a great group of guys - there are always lots of laughs, but also a hard work ethic. The coaching staff is excellent and so too is the support staff, from the team manager to the kit man.

Tommy: I have settled in well, I am getting used to it now. The club is good, the boys are good and everyone around the town makes you feel welcome.

Do you feel any added pressure to perform against your former club, and with your replacement lined up against you?

Danny: There is pressure to perform with every match, including this one against Wigan. They are a strong side and I would like to think we can go out there and win, but this is the attitude I have to every match - there is that little bit of added spice for Saturday though.

Tommy: No extra pressure, obviously this is a big club with plenty of expectation on us. I have high expectations of myself and I want to do well. I think if you want to do well the pressure is always there whichever club you are at. I'm looking forward to returning to the Stoop for the first time, I still have a lot of friends at the club.

Quins 20: Burgess, Clubb, Gafa, Hill, Hopkins, McLinden, Melling, Mills, Orr, Paul, Randall, Rinaldi, A. Smith, T. Smith, Sykes, Temata, Tootill, Walsh, Wells, Worrincy.

Wigan 20: Ashton, Calderwood, Bailey, Withers, Richards, Barrett, Leuluai, Fielden, Higham, Paleaaesina, Hock, Fletcher, O'Loughlin, Vaealiki, Millard, Prescott, Hansen, Goulding, Tomkins, O'Carroll

Harlequins RL v Wigan Warriors, 3pm Saturday 2nd June, 2007

A limited number of match tickets are available for all home games for just 12 pounds. Book online or on the phone 020 8410 6000.

News sent by: www.quins.co.uk

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