Saints » Results

Saints pulled back a ten point deficit at the Twickenham Stoop to beat Harlequins RL 32-16.

Daniel Anderson’s men were 16-6 down at the break as the lively Harlequins posted three tries with Clough’s 11^th of the season the sole reply.

But Willie Talau scored from Saints’ opening set in the second half to reduce the deficit, then James Graham drew his side level.

Jason Cayless put them ahead with his first of the season and then Ade Gardner posted a superb opportunistic try to stretch Saints’ winning streak to 19.

Harlequins named an unchanged side from last week’s victory against Hull KR, whilst Saints brought in Kyle Eastmond for the injured Sean Long.

Chris Flannery also started in the loose forward position instead of James Roby who was on the bench.

Saints started off brightly in perfect conditions for Rugby League, but it was Harlequins who opened the scoring when the ball was cut back inside to Rob Purdham who put down under pressure.

Paul Wellens then defused a chip in-goal to give the Quins another set on the Saints’ line.

On 15 minutes, Harlequins flew down the left hand side with a three man overlap but Francis Meli correctly pin-pointed the ball carrier and defused the situation.

James Graham then was held up inches short after a typically strong run.

From there, some scintillating rugby saw the Quins stretch their lead. Showing the kind of wanton and off the cuff passing that has been a feature of their last two wins, Will Sharp kept the ball alive, cut inside and sent Hill away to make it 8-0. Purdham with the conversion.

Saints were struggling to get any type of attack on the go due mainly to some excellent defence from their hosts. Kyle Eastmond fired up a bomb that Paul Wellens was unluckily unable to collect and Jon Wilkin put in a nice grubber along the floor that just drifted into touch via the corner flag.

But Saints finally got on the board when Pryce fired a great pass off the floor to Roby who went 40 yards to get the ball rolling.

Once Harlequins were penalised for swinging in, Saints always had the momentum and it was no surprise when Paul Clough took the ball and plunged over for his 11^th of the season. Kyle with the extras.

It was a timely score for a team that had been on the back foot for most of the half.

Julian Rinaldi stretched the Quins’ lead just before half time with a typical poacher’s try – burrowing over as the markers were setting up. Rinaldi with the conversion.

On the stroke of half time, Leon Pryce put up a towering bomb that was knocked dead for a drop out and Gidley was unlucky with a chip through as the hooter went.

Half Time: Harlequins 16 Saints 6

In the second half, Saints got off to the flyer when on their first set a sweeping move saw Roby and Wilkin combine to send Willie Talau over in the corner. Eastmond just wide with the conversion.

On Saints’ next set, Roby found himself unlucky to be held up over the line.

14 minutes into the second half Randall kicked a massive 40:20 to put the Quins in prime attacking position – and to relieve the constant pressure on their own line. Francis Meli then knocked the ball dead to give them a repeat set.

Then, with 20 minutes left, Saints drew level. Matt Gidley intercepted a Danny Orr pass and five tackles later following some superb and somewhat desperate passing, James Graham twisted his way over under the sticks. Gidley with the conversion.

Saints were buoyant and on their next set, Eastmond broke through setting up great field position. And it was Jason Cayless who took a high pass from Cunningham to plunge over the line and score his first of the season in the process.

Ade Gardner then took advantage of the last tackle to fly over from dummy half.

The Quins expected the ball to go left, but Gards went right, cut back inside and then went over.

It was a fantastic opportunistic try from the Cumbrian – his 28^th of the season – that in all effect preserved Saints 19 win streak.

Talau went over for his second as the hooter sounded to seal a scratchy win.

"We had to turn it up a gear in the second half because Harlequins were playing some quality and confident rugby following their last two wins," explained Daniel Anderson. "We let them play football in the first half and I think we were lucky to go in just 16-6 down.

"But whilst we were flat in the first 40, we ramped it up in the second and the pressure told."

Harlequins coach Brian McDermott added: “Defensively we cracked when they kept at us. There was always going to be a point where we would be under pressure, and we didn't cope.

"We got ourselves in a position where we were chasing a game we should not have been chasing. You have to score points when you are on top against St Helens, and that often means you will come up with mistakes."

Match Summary

Harlequins:

Tries: Purdham, Hill, Rinaldi

Goals: Purdham (2 from 3)

Saints:

Tries: Clough, Talau (2), Graham, Cayless, Gardner

Goals: Eastmond (3 from 5), Gidley (1 from 1)

Penalties:

Harlequins: 7

Saints: 11

HT (Sts First): 6-16

FT (Sts First): 32-16

REF: Steve Ganson

ATT: 3629

Teams:

Harlequins:

15. Chris Melling; 24. Will Sharp, 19. Tony Clubb, 4. David Howell, 5. Rikki Sheriffe; 6. Scott Hill, 7. Danny Orr, 17. Danny Ward, 9. Chad Randall, 16. Gareth Haggerty, 8. Karl Temata, 13. Rob Purdham, 23. Henry Paul.

Subs: 10. Daniel Heckenberg, 11. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, 14. Julien Rinaldi, 20. Jon Grayshon.

Saints:

1. Paul Wellens; 2. Ade Gardner, 3. Matt Gidley, 4. Willie Talau, 5. Francis Meli; 6. Leon Pryce, 24. Kyle Eastmond; 10. Jason Cayless, 9. Keiron Cunningham, 17. James Graham, 11. Lee Gilmour, 12. Jon Wilkin, 16. Chris Flannery.

Subs: 8. Nick Fozzard, 14. James Roby, 18. Bryn Hargreaves, 21. Paul Clough.