Wakefield (10) 20 Tries: Wilkes, Martin, Grix Goals: Brough 4 Harlequins RL (6) 18 Tries: Orr, Gale, Randall Goals: Orr 3
Danny Brough converted Scott Grix's last-minute try to hand Wakefield the points in a dramatic Super League clash against play-off rivals Harlequins. The Londoners looked to have secured victory with second-half scores from Luke Gale and Chad Randall, to add to an earlier touchdown from Danny Orr. But the hosts hit back when Grix dived over out wide to add to first-half Oliver Wilkes and Tony Martin tries. Brough then landed his fourth goal of the game to clinch victory. Wakefield began the brighter but they gifted Harlequins the lead in the ninth minute following a dreadful mistake by Grix. The Wildcats wing inexplicably dropped the ball 20m short of his own line and Orr needed no second invitation to collect possession and scamper clear. He touched down just wide of the posts, giving himself a routine conversion and his side a 6-0 advantage on which to build. But the response from Wakefield was impressive and Brough was pivotal in drawing them level within three minutes. He collected a loose ball just inside his own half and showed surprising speed as he outpaced a number of Quins defenders before intelligently ushering the supporting Wilkes over the line from 20m. Brough added the extras from a comfortable angle and Wakefield began to build steady momentum. They claimed their second try of the game when Drew embarked on a run from deep inside the hosts' half and released Martin, who sprinted in at the left corner. Brough could not convert from out wide and five minutes after the break he missed with a penalty. In the 51st minute he did manage to land a penalty to edge his side further ahead but Harlequins stunned their hosts to draw level on the hour mark. Stand-off Gale, with a combination of searing pace and clever footwork, darted through a gap in the home defence and crossed for a try which Orr converted with ease. Another penalty from Brough kept Wakefield in contention but Quins scored their third try in the 69th minute when Randall collected a pass from Karl Temata and touched down for a try which Orr converted. The visitors looked like heading back to London with the points but Wakefield's late pressure told. Sean Gleeson found Grix in the right corner and he dived over before Brough added the conversion from the touchline to send Belle Vue into raptures.
Wakefield coach John Kear on Danny Brough: "He can play a lot better. Danny will always win us more than he loses and that was a great example because he hadn't had the best game. "He will admit that but in the last minute of a match you would always want him striding up to take it. "That one wasn't going anywhere else other than over the posts was it? It was very enjoyable and Danny will get all the headlines again." Wakefield-born Quins coach Brian McDermott: "This is no more disappointing than any other loss. "I didn't think we were on course to win it and I didn't think we played well. "We didn't play well in the first half although we got it back together a little bit in the second half."
Wakefield: Blaymire, Peterson, Atkins, Gleeson, Grix, Martin, Brough, Bibey, Drew, Korkidas, Wilkes, Snitch, Demetriou. Replacements: Stosic, Moore, Winternstein, Leo-Latu. Harlequins RL: O'Callaghan, Melling, Gafa, Howell, Gardner, Gale, Orr, Ward, Randall, McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Temata, Williamson, Golden. Replacements: Haggerty, Heckenberg, Clubb, Skee. Referee: R Silverwood (Dewsbury)
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