Round 18
Wakefield Trinity Wildcats 20 d. Harlequins 18

2009 engage English Super League Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

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

Wakefield defeat Harlequins on the bell
Mon June 29, 2009
Source: www.superleague.co.uk

Danny Brough converted Scott Grix's last-minute try to hand Wakefield Wildcats victory in a thrilling clash against engage Super League play-off rivals Harlequins RL.

The Londoners looked to have secured victory with second-half scores from Luke Gale and Chad Randall to add to an earlier touchdown from Danny Orr.

Yet the Wildcats refused to surrender and Grix dived over in the right corner to add to first-half tries from Oliver Wilkes and Tony Martin before Brough had the final say with his fourth goal of the game.

Wakefield began the brighter but they gifted Harlequins the lead in the ninth minute following a dreadful mistake by Grix.

The Wildcats wing inexplicably dropped the ball 20 metres short of his own line and Orr needed no second invitation to collect possession and scamper clear.

He touched down just wide of the posts, giving himself a routine conversion and his side a 6-0 advantage on which to build.

Yet the response from Wakefield was impressive and Brough was pivotal in drawing them level within three minutes.

The influential scrum-half raised eyebrows earlier this year by announcing he was to quit playing for Scotland so as to put himself in contention for England in the Four Nations Series at the end of the season.

He collected a loose ball just inside his own half and showed surprising speed to outpace a number of Quins defenders and intelligence to usher the supporting Wilkes over the line from around 20 metres out.

Matt Gafa made a desperate late lunge to halt Wilkes' progress but it was not enough and the ball was grounded.

Brough added the extras from a comfortable angle and Wakefield began to build steady momentum.

Brad Drew, a pivotal figure for the home side at hooker, fashioned a promising move in the 18th minute which could have led to another try.

A neat short offload to the right found Brough and he kept the move flowing with pass to Jason Demetriou, but the skipper spilled the ball and the opportunity was lost.

Yet John Kear's men maintained the pressure and within seconds they claimed their second try of the game.

Drew started it with a run from deep inside the hosts' half and he spotted Martin advancing forward at pace before slipping him a perfectly-timed pass which allowed the stand-off to sprint into the left corner.

It was a fine score but not one Brough could convert as the angle proved too difficult.

He faltered again with the boot five minutes after the break with a penalty that sailed wide of the posts.

In the 51st minute, however, he did manage to land a penalty to edge his side further ahead but Harlequins stunned their hosts to draw level on the hour mark.

Stand-off Gale, with a combination of searing pace and clever footwork, darted through a gap in the home defence and crossed for a try which Orr converted with ease.

Another penalty from Brough kept Wakefield in contention but Quins had their third try in the 69th minute when Randall collected a pass from Karl Temata and touched down for a try which Orr converted.

However, Wakefield's late pressure told and Sean Gleeson's pass found Grix in the right corner and he dived over before Brough added the conversion from the touchline to send Belle Vue into raptures.


Haggerty returns for Harlequins
Sat June 27, 2009
Source: www.quins.co.uk

Gareth Haggerty is set to return to action for Harlequins Rugby League this weekend when they travel to Wakefield for Super League round 18.

The 27-year-old prop has been named in Brian McDermott's 19 man squad which also sees the return of young Londoner Jamie O'Callaghan who played for the reserves in last weekend's 38-34 victory over Leeds reserves.

"I'm really pleased to have Gareth back" McDermott said "whilst Jamie has again been in outstanding form for the reserves.

"There are several others in the reserves that are telling me through their performances that they wouldn't be out of their comfort zone playing Super League."

Despite missing several key players through injury, including Luke Dorn and captain, Rob Purdham, McDermott says his side remain focused.

"We approach each game as though it is the biggest game of the season, I don't try to tally up where we'll be in the weeks to come.

"We play every game the best we can and let the rest take care of itself."

The 19 man squad in full:

Tony Clubb, Matt Gafa, Luke Gale, Mat Gardner, Jason Golden, Gareth Haggerty, Daniel Heckenberg, David Howell, Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Chris Melling, Jamie O'Callaghan, Danny Orr, Chad Randall, Dylan Skee, Karl Temata, Danny Ward, Jon Wells, Dave Williams, Luke Williamson.

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