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Page last updated at 19:34 GMT, Saturday, 28 February 2009

Harlequins 18-24 Wigan

Harlequins (10) 18
Tries: Randall, Gafa, McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Melling Goals: Orr

Wigan (6) 24
Tries: Ainscough 2, Carmont, Bailey, Roberts Goals: Richards 2


Harlequins v Wigan

Late tries by Amos Roberts and Shaun Ainscough gave Wigan a much-needed first win of the season against a battling Harlequins outfit.

Quins led 18-14 with five minutes to go after tries from Chad Randall, Matt Gafa, Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook and Chris Melling.

But Randall's pass was intercepted by Roberts who crossed for his first try of the season to level the match.

Ainscough made it safe with his second try of the match two minutes from time.

Wigan, who suffered their third defeat of the season last Friday against Castleford, made a nervous start and Quins went close through both Melling and David Howell.

But it was Ainscough who opened the scoring, taking George Carmont's pass to go over for his second try in consecutive games and Pat Richards converted.

606: DEBATE
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Quins rallied and shocked the Warriors with two quick-fire tries. First Howell's pass was fumbled for Randall to take advantage and Gafa then went in wide from a Jon Wells break.

Wigan made the brighter start to the second half and Carmont and Phil Bailey crossed in quick succession to put them 14-10 ahead and they looked in control.

However, Chad Randall's 40-20 kick gave Quins some crucial possession 15 minutes from time and McCarthy-Scarsbrook powered over from close range before former Wigan man Melling dived over in the corner five minutes later.

But Wigan refused to give in and they finished the stronger with their two late scores to ease the pressure on coach Brian Noble.


Harlequins coach Brian McDermott:

"At the end of the day the game came down to Chad's pass, but he is not to blame. He is going through enough turmoil as it is without me laying into him.

"I thought we showed a lack of composure. We had some real opportunities to win the game in the first half, and Wigan probably breathed a sigh of relief at half-time.

"But it is only round two for us, and our season does not hinge on this result."

Wigan coach Brian Noble:

"Of course there is an element of relief. There was a lot of pressure being put on the players, and that is only natural.

"We have not started the season as we would have liked, and I hope this result will go some way to changing that situation.

"But I was still not delighted with the way we played. I thought in the first half we were starved of the ball and lucky to be close but I thought we had the desire, the urgency and the strength in adversity."


Harlequins: Wells, Melling, Gafa, Howell, Sharp, Dorn, Orr, Temata, Randall, Ward, Robinson, Clubb, Purdham.
Replacements: McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Golden, Heckenberg, Gale.

Wigan: Richards, Roberts, Bailey, Carmont, Ainscough, Smith, Leuluai, Fielden, Riddell, Coley, Hock, J. Tomkins, O'Loughlin.
Replacements: Paleaaesina, Hansen, O'Carroll, S. Tomkins.

Referee: T Alibert (Toulouse)



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see also
Castleford 8-12 Harlequins
15 Feb 09 |  Rugby League
Wigan 22-28 Castleford
20 Feb 09 |  Rugby League


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