St Helens 32-18 Harlequins

St Helens bounced back from two successive defeats to all but end Harlequins slim play-off hopes with a 32-18 win over Harlequins.

Saints, who announced that they would be playing their home games at Widnes’ Halton Stadium next season earlier in the day, took an early lead through young debutant Shaun Magennis, who crashed over after taking a Scott Moore pass.

But Quins indicated that they weren’t just their to make up the numbers when Jason Golden crossed for a well-worked try following good work from Tony Clubb, with Danny Orr kicking the conversion to edge the visitors in front.

Francis Meli scored the first of his two tries to put Saints back on top and Paul Wellens capitalised on some defensive uncertainty following a Moore kick to score, and Jonny Lomax‘s first conversion of the day put the home side 14-6 in front.

When Meli stretched that lead further, it looked like a comfortable day at the office for Saints, as they went in 20-6 at half time.

But Brian McDermott’s well drilled side clawed their way back in to the game in the second half, through Jamie O’Callaghan and Ryan Esders, to reduce the deficit to 20-18.

The game remained on a knife-edge going in to the final quarter, but Chris Dean‘s converted try with 15 minutes to play gave Mick Potter’s side a bit of breathing space, and they clinched the two points when Leon Pryce fed Wellens for his second try with just five minutes on the clock.