Harlequins 24-44 St Helens

St Helens moved two points clear at the top of the league thanks to a ruthless first half performance in London.

Both sides were missing several key players but it was St Helens who coped better, racking up a 0-34 half-time scoreline in an entertaining game.

Harlequins restored respectibillity to the procedings in the final 40 as they went over for four consolation tries.

It took just five minutes for Saints to open the scoring through Tom Armstrong and Tony Puletua soon followed him over as Saints looked to take advantage of Leeds’ defeat to Wigan last night.

James Graham added another from close range before Kyle Eastmond marked his recovery from mumps to touch down and kick the conversion to add Saints’ fourth goal of the afternoon.

Puletua completed his brace of tries with five minutes remaining and Leon Pryce snook over before the hooter to put Saints into a commanding lead at half-time.

It was a different Harlequins side who came out after the break however, and Haggerty went over for Londoners’ first try three minutes in.

Chris Dean‘s confident finish kept Saint’s score ticking over but Chad Robinson soon touched down for the home side.

Leon Pryce kicked his second 40/20 of the afternoon which gave Jon Wilkin the field position to burst over near to the line but that would prove to be Saints’ last score as Quin’s ended the game positively.

Danny Ward juggled the ball but held on as he scored before Matt Gafa rounded off the scoring as he collected Danny Orr‘s kick to touch down.

T:

Gareth Haggerty (43), Chad Robinson (51) Matt Gafa (78), Danny Ward (70)

G:

Danny Orr (43,50,70,78)

T:

Tom Armstrong (5), Tony Puletua (17,34), James Graham (21), Kyle Eastmond (28), Leon Pryce (39), Chris Dean (45), Jon Wilkin (58)

G:

Kyle Eastmond (5,17,21,28,34,45)