Harlequins (20) 50
Tries: Dorn 4, Melling, Gale, Howell, Krasniqi Goals: Orr 3, Gale 6
Crusaders (6) 22
Tries: Schifcofske, Chan, Lupton, Hanbury Goals: Schifcofske 3
 Dorn is in his sixth season of rugby league in England |
Four tries from half-back Luke Dorn gave Harlequins a comfortable victory over Crusaders. Dorn's first-half brace and Chris Melling's score gave the home side the upper hand. Clinton Schifcofske crossed over for Crusaders before half-time but Quins hit back through Dorn, Luke Gale, David Howell and debutant Olisi Krasniqi. The visitors saved face thanks to Peter Lupton, Jason Chan and Rhys Hanbury but Quins held tight to seal the win. After a poignant minute's silence in honour of Cumbrian shooting victim Garry Purdham, brother of Quins skipper Rob, the game began at a frantic pace and it was the home side who claimed the first points. Howell made a break from inside his own half, with Dorn applying the finishing touch and minutes later they doubled their lead when Melling ran on to Danny Orr's superbly-timed pass which Orr goaled. Despite a good percentage of possession the Welsh side were lacking a clinical edge, and Dorn seized the opportunity to grab onto a loose ball to touch down after a Melling break.  | 606: DEBATE |
Crusaders finally got themselves on the board thanks to an individual effort from Schifcofske, but there was still time for Luke Gale to boot a penalty on the hooter. It was Gale who pushed the hosts even further ahead after the interval, and minutes later an excellent Dorn pass allowed Howell to carve through the defence for a further try. The visitors were hanging on, and they boosted their own account when Chan showed good strength to muscle his way over. But Dorn claimed his third try, cashing in after Randall's booming kick had caused chaos and seconds later it was number four for Dorn, selling a dummy to speed over the line with ease. There was even time for Krasniqi to claim a late try in his first game for the London side. To the visitors' credit they did stage a late rally, with both Lupton and Hanbury claiming late tries.
Harlequins coach Brian McDermott:
"It has been really tough but everybody at the club realised that we have a job to do. "Out of respect for Rob himself we could not start to feel sorry for ourselves and let what has happened affect things. "It would have been wrong for us to go out there and be anxious or tentative, even though it has been a horrible few days. "But everyone realised just how massive a two points were on offer today, and the players responded magnificently." Crusaders coach Brian Noble:
"We are in a bit of a hole at the moment and it is up to all of us to dig ourselves out of it. "Our defensive fragility was really show today and that is something we have to work on. "We need to get back into the winner's enclosure. We have to get back to basics as there are too many players doing the wrong thing, which is really costing us. "We need to roll up our sleeves and work even harder, as if we do that there are still opportunities for us this season."
Harlequins RL: Dorn, O'Callaghan, Clubb, Howell, Sharp, Gale, Randall, McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Orr, Wilkes, Williamson, Temata, Melling.
Replacements: Krasniqi for McCarthy-Scarsbrook (35), Crusaders RL: Schifcofske, Thomas, Dyer, Mellars, Youngquest, Witt, Hanbury, O'Hara, Withers, Bryant, Chan, Hauraki, Lupton.
Replacements: Peek for O'Hara (23), James for Bryant (23), Att: 2,381 Ref: Ben Thaler (Wakefield).
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