Saints taxed in the capital

St Helens moved back into third spot in the Super League table with a hard-fought 32-24 win over a spirited Harlequins at the Twickenham Stoop.

James Roby notched two tries for the second successive game while Andrew Dixon also grabbed a brace for Saints, who leapfrog above Huddersfield.

However Mick Potter's troops certainly didn't have everything their own way in the capital against a side currently propping up the rest in the top flight.

Quins were level at six apiece at the break and, having fought back from 18-6 down to even things up again, could have caused an upset had they made the most of their opportunities.

Positives

At least coach Brian McDermott can see some light at the end of the tunnel, while the performance of Kevin Penny on debut was also a major plus.

The winger, who has arrived on a one-month loan deal from Warrington, scored one try and also shone in defence during a tight opening 40 minutes.

A sloppy start from Saints allowed Quins to take the lead through Ben Jones-Bishop, who finished off good work by Danny Ward and Luke Williamson.

However their lead lasted for just five minutes, Dixon benefiting from one of numerous offloads by the outstanding Tony Puletua to get his first of the night. Kyle Eastmond landed the conversion, the first of his six goals, but neither team could manage any further points before the half-time hooter.

Having dominated in the second 40 minutes in their rout of Castleford on Easter Monday, Saints threatened to do the same again when they scored two tries in the space of three minutes shortly after the resumption.

Eastmond's first was a superb solo effort, the scrum-half accepting Keiron Cunningham's offload before galloping around full-back Jones-Bishop, and Dixon soon followed him over the line, though this time from close range.

Yet Quins came storming back, crossing for a second time when Penny rose way above Gary Wheeler to reel in Luke Gale's kick to the corner.

Opportunities

The scores were then level again when Chad Randall's cut-out pass set up Williamson, Orr landing both conversion attempts to make it 18-18.

It could have got even better for the home team had Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook spotted the supporting Gale rather than attempting to run straight over full-back Leon Pryce.

Even after St Helens had gone back ahead through Roby's first try, Quins still created openings. Gale had the best one of the lot when he scampered free only to pass into space, rather than find his two waiting team-mates.

The missed opportunities proved costly, Saints extending their lead with an Eastmond penalty before Puleta, who had been a constant menace with ball in hand, burst clear to create a second for Roby.

Quins did have the last word when Orr's kick out wide bounced kindly for Tony Club, though it was no more than a late consolation for their brave efforts.