Harlequins 16 St Helens 40 (From Warrington Guardian)

Harlequins 16 St Helens 40

SAINTS spoiled Harlequins' Super League debut with an emphatic seven try to three triumph. Highlight of the day was the hat-trick by Paul Wellens.

New boy Jason Cayless opened the scoring on seven minutes after taking Keiron Cunningham's short ball to reach over the line. Jamie Lyon converted.

On 16 minutes it was level pegging after Luke Dorn's kick was collected by Tyrone Smith, who out jumped Francis Meli to touch down. Matt Gafa converted.

On 24 minutes Saints were back in front when Paul Wellens twisted and turned his way over for a try. Lyon converted to make it 12-6.

On 26 minutes Wellens added his second when he backed up a fine break by James Roby to touch down. Lyon's goal made it 18-6.

On 33 minutes Francis Meli cleared his line, keeping the ball alive for Leon Pryce to take the ball up field before being backed up by Jason Hooper.

From that position Sean Long launched a wide kick which Lyon collected then flicked inside for Ade Gardner to touch down. Lyon tagged on the extras to make it 24-6 at half time.

Ten minutes after the restart Gardner went to intercept Thomas Leuluai's pass, but failed to come up with the ball allowing opposite number Ricky Sheriffe to race in at the corner. 24-10.

On 55 minutes Cayless smart offload sent Wellens on a jinking run to the line, stepping the full back to complete his hat trick. Lyon converted to make it 30-10.

On 68 minutes Pryce combined with Long to send loose forward Jason Hooper over with Lyon's conversion making it 36-10.

On 71 minutes Lyon intercepted and despite being caught by covering prop Karl Temata, he was able to hand him off to touch down. The conversion attempt fell short.

London wrapped up the scoring on the 79th minute when Rob Purdham sent Paul Sykes over, who added the conversion himself to make the final score 40-16.

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