WOLVES fell to their third defeat in four games at Harlequins on Saturday in baking 90 degrees Fahrenheit heat.

Paul Cullen's men were always chasing the game in the energy-sapping conditions after falling 12 points behind in the opening 13 minutes at The Stoop.

Wolves were 20 points adrift with 15 minutes left to play but a strong finish saw Wolves bag three tries in eight minutes, with one touchline conversion miss by fit-again Lee Briers proving crucial.

The last two tries were touched down by 73rd-minute substitute Simon Grix, with his second coming from the final move of the game, which included an eight-man passing exchange.

Wolves, who trailed 12-0 at half time thanks to tries by Michael Worrincy and captain Rob Purdham, came back into the game with an 80-metre interception try by skipper Briers in the 42nd minute.

But Quins regained control courtesy of tries by Pat Weisner and Henry Paul, with Paul converting both and adding a penalty.

Logan Swann lifted Wolves' spirits with the team's second try but the game looked over when Solomon Haumono made it 30-12 to Quins.

Richie Barnett's 75th-minute touchdown started Wolves' late fightback which, just like at Hull Kingston Rovers one week earlier, came a little too late.