Round 5
Harlequins 24 d. Huddersfield Giants 0

2008 engage English Super League Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

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

Composure the key says Paul
Wed March 12, 2008
Source: www.quins.co.uk

Harlequins Rugby League's stunning win against the Huddersfield Giants on Saturday at The Stoop gave the Quins an equal first footing on the Super League table.

The 24-0 point victory over the Giants made it four consecutive wins for the Harlequins, with the club having lost only one game since the season kicked off early last month.

Although the Quins are well placed on the competition ladder five rounds into the season, Harlequins Loose Forward and Rugby League icon, Henry Paul, insists the team are staying focused on the job they face each week, saying:

"We are not getting overly carried away but the start we have had this season is pleasing because of the effort that was put in pre-season.

"Winning the last four games has also been good following our opening game against Wigan, we let that game get away from us."

Paul believes his team has adopted a more composed approach to their play in 2008 which is getting Harlequins Rugby League the results they are after.

"I think we are keeping our heads cool and playing with better composure this year. Our playing style is more conducive to getting results, we are not being reckless in our play.

"It's very controlled and that is giving us confidence, we aren't forcing things."

Paul suffered a bicep injury during the Harlequins win on Saturday and it is hoped he'll be fit for the club's clash with World Club Champions, Leeds Rhinos, at Headingley this Friday night.

The Quins will be looking to make it five wins in a row, a record for the London based club since they formed as Harlequins Rugby League at the end of 2005.

News sent by: www.quins.co.uk


Sharp's Troops chasing Capital Gains
Fri March 7, 2008
Source: www.giantsrl.com

After two consecutive home victories, Jon Sharp and his Huddersfield Giants side make the trip to the Capital this weekend to face the in-form Harlequins outfit. With the Giants posting 92 points in their previous two encounters they are in fine attacking form, although Sharp insists it was the 28-8 victory over Hull FC, and not the 64-12 demolition of Castleford, that gave him the greatest pleasure.

"I think the Hull game, performance wise, was probably as good as it gets at this time of year, especially given the conditions as it was a blustery day. During the week it was fairly disruptive with the weather aswell. The pitch we trained on was heavy and we had to pull practice short on Friday due to some ridiculous conditions. It probably did us good really as we went into the game with plenty of energy. Skills wise we were very good and we had to be because Hull made us work really hard. When we went over for the try just before half-time I felt that both sides were in good form and playing really well. We were made to battle all the way."

After what was a tough arm-wrestle to take the points, defeated Hull coach Peter Sharp paid tribute to the Giants side, labelling them "too good" for his men, and also lauded the Claret and Gold as the "dark horses" this season. His namesake and opposition coach Jon; felt his troops turned the screw at a vital time.

"Hull defended extremely well and put us under a lot of pressure. They had 4 sets inside our 20 at one stage in the middle part of the second half. We handled that really well and came away with a Kevin Brown intercept that led to Eorl's try and pushed us out to 24-8. I just thought then that it had broken their backs, emotionally. I thought that knocked them around and made it difficult for them after that point. I spoke to Peter (Sharp) after the game and what he said was very flattering. For a man of his experience and knowledge to say that, is something I'm very proud of. To back those comments up and play as well as we did makes it all the more pleasurable."

With the first half somewhat of a physical war of attrition and both sets of forwards striving for dominance, Sharp felt it was his 4 interchange men who helped turn the tide in favour of the home side.

"I thought the bench was fantastic and the rotation went really smooth for us, the form of the guys coming off the bench had a really big part to play. After they had dealt with the likes of Skandalis, Hudson, Mason and Crabtree we had Jackson, Griffin and Andy Raleigh charging at them with Gatis around the rucks. I just felt that it was a really dominant performance by the forwards in particular that laid the platform for some great football and some super tries."

With the Giants reporting another clean bill of hill and in high spirits, Sharp feels his side will have to "out-work" the Harlequins side, who are known for their stamina and never say die attitude, highlighted by their last minute 22-16 victory over Castleford in the previous Round.

"Harlequins are a side that works really hard for each other. If you are going to beat them you are going to have to work hard for 80 minutes to win. I think it sums it up last week when they were down and out against Castleford but they never knew they were beaten and plugged away and came up with a win in the end. That's Super League and it sums up how Harlequins play, they work hard for one another and make you work hard to beat them."

RALEIGH ANTICIPATES TOUGH BATTLE IN THE CAPITAL
Giants star Andy Raleigh is delighted with the side's impressive recent form following Sunday's thrilling 28-8 victory over Hull FC and with a trip to the capital this Saturday to face Harlequins (3pm), is hoping that the Claret and Gold can continue their winning streak.

"It's always good to get a couple of wins together; it gets the confidence up for the boys. Especially after the start to last season and losing the opening 7, it's good to put a performance together and get the wins early. It's another big week for us this week, and hopefully we can get down to Harlequins and get the win."

Raleigh has put in several powerful displays in recent weeks to help the Giants pack dominate their opposition, and after a tough start to the season, was praised for his performance by Jon Sharp following Sunday's victory.

"Yeah it's always nice to hear that. At the start of the season it takes a bit of time to get into a bit of form, so I'd like to think im getting into it and getting sharp again now. Hopefully I can keep working hard in training and maintain my place."

Whilst a trip to the Twickenham Stoop is always a tough proposition, it's made all the more challenging with the fact that the Quins are one of the form sides at the start of engage Super League XIII, and currently unbeaten in 3 games.

"It's always a tough ask to go to Harlequins and come away with the points. We're not taking it lightly but if we continue to play well with forwards dominating and laying the platform for the backs then we have got a good chance."

SHARP NAMES 20 MAN SQUAD FOR CAPITAL TRIP
Giants Head Coach Jon Sharp has named his 20 man squad for Saturday's trip to the Capital to face Harlequins RL.

1) Chris Thorman
3) Shane Elford
4) Paul Whatuira
6) Kevin Brown
7) Luke Robinson
8) Eorl Crabtree
9) George Gatis
10) John Skandalis
11) Jamahl Lolesi
12) Andy Raleigh
13) Stephen Wild
14) Stuart Jones
15) Paul Jackson
16 Keith Mason
17) Steve Snitch
18) Darrell Griffin
19) Ryan Hudson
21) Leroy Cudjoe
24) Rod Jensen
28) Danny Kirmond

News sent by: www.giantsrl.com

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