Quins give Londoner second chance

Harlequins youngster Lamont Bryan has signed a new first team contract with the club, having been dropped to the reserve grade last season.

The 21-year-old previously held a squad number in 2008, but spent last season playing at reserve grade. The new one year deal will see Bryan at the Twickenham Stoop throughout the 2010 season.

London born Bryan began playing for the Harlequins academy side as a 15-year-old and progressed through the ranks to make his Super League debut in a memorable victory over Leeds in 2008.

Bryan was not offered a contract for the 2009 season and returned to playing with the reserves. Despite the disappointment, he persevered and refocused his energies and efforts into his training and on field performances.

His determination led to him becoming top try scorer in the reserve side and Bryan was rewarded for his hard work with a recall to the first team for the final five Super League games of 2009.

Bryan said: “When I first signed a contract I mistakenly thought ‘this is it, I have made it’. I’ve learnt a lot over the last year and understand that you have to strive and work hard for what you want.

“I’m really excited about my new deal and looking forward to rejoining the first team next season.

I want to prove to everyone that I can earn a place in the squad and have set myself some very important targets for next year.”

Harlequins head coach, Brian McDermott, said: “Lamont has done something to be proud of and turned his career around to be rewarded with another squad number.

“He deserves a lot of credit and I’m sure we’ll see more of him in first team action next year.”