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Page last updated at 14:56 GMT, Sunday, 16 May 2010 15:56 UK

Harlequins 40-24 Castleford Tigers

Harlequins (16) 40
Tries: Melling, Penny, Randall 2, Williamson, Orr, Howell
Goals:
Orr 4, Gale 2

Castleford (18) 24
Tries: Westerman, Ferres, Higgins, Snitch
Goals:
Westerman 4


Harlequins scrum-half Chad Randall
Randall joined Harlequins from Manly Sea Eagles in 2006

Harlequins ran in four converted tries in the final 12 minutes for a stunning win against Castleford at The Stoop.

After both sides scored three tries before the break, Cas looked on course for victory when Steve Snitch's try extended their narrow half-time lead.

But, from 24-16 down with 12 minutes left, Quins responded magnificently.

Scrum-half Chad Randall (his second of the game), forwards Luke Williamson and Danny Orr and centre David Howell all crossed to turn the game on its head.

For fast-improving Quins, it was their fourth win in five games, taking them within six points of a play-off spot.

The hosts were quick out of the blocks, taking a fortuitous early lead when Chris Melling juggled a pass from Danny Orr, only to reclaim the looping ball and stroll over the line.

Quins then ran in a second try on nine minutes when Luke Gale's superbly judged chip allowed Kevin Penny to win the race to touch down in the corner.

606: DEBATE
THE ORIGINAL GMO

After Rangi Chase intercepted what appeared a try-scoring pass to Luke Dorn, the visitors were galvanised into scoring themselves, Brent Sherwin's grubber cannoning off Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook into the grateful arms of Westerman, who went under the sticks.

Quins restored their 10-point lead on the half-hour mark, Williamson, Orr and Howell combining to send Randall over.

But back came Cas to score twice in four minutes before the break.

Centre Ferres managed to ground the ball despite the attention of a host of would-be tacklers and then prop Liam Higgins stunned the crowd by rumbling through a huge gap to roll under the posts.

Quins were then caught napping by a Westerman break on 55 minutes, Snitch appearing on hand to push the Tigers into a decent lead.

The tide had turned, with Quins looking ragged. But the Tigers opted for a safety-first approach, allowing their hosts to find a second wind.

Randall raced clear for his second, then two minutes later Williamson bustled over to put Quins back in front after Penny made a lightning break from inside his own half.

Orr burrowed over for a match-clinching effort with five minutes to go, Howell's last-ditch effort proving mere icing on the cake.


Harlequins coach Brian McDermott said:
"The play-offs are a reality for us, no doubt about it. It is not so much about believing when things are going well, but doing so when you are up against it.

"This group of players have continued to believe and things are starting to come good.

"There was some stuff we played, especially in the first half, that was absolutely outstanding. We oozed confidence in patches of the game. And. if we stick to this the possibilities are scary for us."

Castleford Tigers coach Terry Matterson said:
"We pressed self-destruct at the end. We went from being a good team to a bad one in the space of a few minutes. We started doing some uncharacteristic things.

"This result has hurt us. We were hoping to come here and push ourselves up the table but instead we have been pulled back into the pack at the bottom.

"Something went wrong and I am pretty frustrated with the whole thing."


Harlequins RL: Dorn, Penny, Clubb, Howell, Sharp, Gale, Randall, McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Orr, Temata, Purdham, Williamson, Melling.
Replacements: Wilkes, Mills, Esders, May.

Castleford Tigers: McGoldrick, Thompson, Evans, Ferres, Wainwright, Chase, Sherwin, Huby, Hudson, Higgins, Jones, Clayton, Westerman.
Replacements: Snitch, Holmes, Tuson, Widders.

Attendance: 2,941.

Referee: Ian Smith (Leeds).



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see also
Harlequins 10-30 St Helens
09 May 10 |  Rugby League
Hull 8-25 Harlequins
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Castleford 34-18 Catalans
02 May 10 |  My Club
Rugby League on the BBC
15 Oct 10 |  Rugby League
Rugby league commentaries
03 Apr 10 |  Rugby League


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