Harlequins (23) 39 Tries: Harder, Evans, Fuga, Williams Cons: Staunton 2 Pens: Staunton 5 Newcastle (13) 23 Tries: Sititi, Mayerhofler Cons: J Wilkinson, Walder Pens: J Wilkinson 2, Walder Wilkinson suffers another injury

Wilkinson - playing his first match for two months - started in fine form, kicking two penalties and converting Semo Setiti's opportunist try.

But in the 34th minute he took a heavy knock on the knee while making a tackle and had to be helped off the field.

Quins went on to establish a 23-13 half-time lead and held firm to win and climb to eighth in the table.

Quins fly-half Jeremy Staunton opened the home side's account with two penalties before converting a George Harder try.

Prop Jim Evans increased the home side's lead with another try as Newcastle's defence buckled under the strain.

We're starting to look at what else we can now do this season Quins chief Mark Evans

Staunton added the conversion and then a penalty to give Quins a 10-point advantage at the break.

Centre Mark Mayerhofler managed to put the Falcons back in the reckoning with a 41st-minute try, and Dave Walder added the conversion.

But Quins regained control, with Tani Fuga driving over from a well-worked line-out move.

Full-back Tom Williams then claimed the all-important bonus point with Quins' fourth try.

Harlequins chief executive Mark Evans was relieved his side managed to pick up a bonus point, which took his side up to eighth in the Zurich Premiership.

"I have said that 37 points was what was required to avoid finishing bottom of the league," he said.

We can't continue to play through the Six Nations Newcastle director Rob Andrew

"We've nearly done that now and are hopeful of achieving that. In fact we're starting to look at what else we can now do this season.

"The table is wide open so it is realistic to think of the play-offs."

Newcastle director of rugby Rob Andrew criticised the effect the Six Nations is having on the Zurich Premiership.

"We can't continue to play through the tournament," he said.

"It's not feasible both because of the injury problems and for the credibility of the tournament. We are just going around in circles.

"I'm pleased with the players' effort but we made too many errors. We keep shooting ourselves in the foot."

Harlequins: Williams; Harder, James, Deane, Monye; Staunton, So'oialo; Worsley, Fuga, Jones; Evans, Miall; Easter, Vos, Diprose.
Replacements: Keogh for Monye (40), Thomas for Staunton (78), Von Hoeslin for So'oialo (78), Tiatia for Fuga (68), Dawson for Jones (78), Winters for Evans (75), Sherriff for Vos (78).

Newcastle: Walder; Phillips, May, Mayerhofler, Stephenson; J Wilkinson, Grindal; Peel, Long, Ward; Gross, Hamilton; McCarthy, Harris, Sititi.
Replacements: Flood for J Wilkinson (34), Charlton for Grindal (50), Quinones for Ward (68), Dowson for Gross (50). Not Used: Isaacson, Parling, M Wilkinson.

Referee: Ashley Rowden (RFU)