Harlequins (4) 10 Tries: Jones-Bishop 2 Goals: Orr
Wakefield (12) 18 Tries: Millard, Jeffries, Murphy Goals: Brough 3
 Wakefield's Dale Morton tries to break through the Harlequins defence |
Wakefield opened their Super League campaign with a hard-fought victory over Harlequins. Daryl Millard crashed over early on before Ben Jones-Bishop replied on his debut for the hosts. Ben Jeffries crossed the line to give Wakefield a 12-4 half-time lead, only for Jones-Bishop to hit back again. But with the Wildcats piling on the pressure, Aaron Murphy barged over before Richard Moore and Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook were sent off. Using their superior physical strength, the Wildcats spent most of the opening 15 minutes in the Quins half and were rewarded when Millard leapt to claim Danny Brough's kick and crossed the line. Quins replied in their first real attack, Jones-Bishop finding space following good work from Chad Randall and Luke Gale. Jeffries stormed home following a weaving run from Murphy to ensure the Wildcats led at the interval, but Jones-Bishop hauled the home side back in to the game just after the break, evading three tackles before touching down. But Murphy settled the contest, receiving an inside pass and crossing the line before Moore and McCarthy-Scarsbrook saw red as tempers flared.
Harlequins coach Brian McDermott said: "We wanted to give ourselves something to build on for the coming weeks and we did that. "We knew we were not going to be at our best today but there was plenty of encouragement. "We just need to move forward and stay positive." Wakefield coach John Kear said: "I thought we showed some very good character and some very good resistance. "I know that this is a very tough place to win at and I have come unstuck here before. "I am very happy with the result and happy with most of the performance."
Harlequins: Jones-Bishop, Melling, Clubb, Howell, Sharp, Gale, Orr, Wilkes, Randall, McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Williamson, Esders, Golden. Replacements: Ward for Wilkes (17), O'Callaghan for Randall (57), James for McCarthy-Scarsbrook (24), Bolger for Esders (54). Sent Off: McCarthy-Scarsbrook (77). Wakefield: Murphy, George, Gleeson, Millard, Morton, Obst, Brough, Korkidas, Leo-Latu, Tronc, Ferguson, Henderson, Morrison. Replacements: Jeffries for Obst (31), Moore for Korkidas (18), Newton for Leo-Latu (22), Demetriou for Henderson (29). Sent Off: Moore (77). Attendance: 3,688 Referee: I Smith (Oldham).
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