matt gafa

Brian McDermott admits he has scarcely cast a glance at the recently-released 2010 Super League fixture list and insists he could not care less who Harlequins RL have first. For the record, Quins will open the 2010 campaign with a Stoop clash with the Wakefield Wildcats on January 30, before heading to Warrington a week later. But McDermott is refusing to be drawn on the matter.

I have seen the fixtures but to be honest they do not bother me either way.   -Brian McDermott

 

WARRINGTON coach Tony Smith admitted his side's 44-34 victory over Harlequins lacked quality in defence as the Challenge Cup winners brought their season to a close. Kevin Penny grabbed two tries and there were also scores for Ben Westwood, Lee Briers, Matt Blythe, Alex Thompson, Micky Higham and Tyrone McCarthy. Warrington finished the season in 10th and Harlequins in 11th as both missed out on the play-offs.  

Huddersfield captain Brett Hodgson led the Giants to a 48-16 walloping of Wigan to secure third-place in the Super League table on Sunday. The former West Tigers star scored one of Huddersfield's eight tries and landed eight goals to book a play-off trip to St Helens next weekend. Winger Leroy Cudjoe helped himself to a hat-trick and Shaun Lunt crossed twice with the Warriors, who will now face Castleford, never in the hunt.  

Tony Smith was pleased to see Warrington Wolves bring the curtain down on their campaign with a 44-34 victory over Harlequins. Kevin Penny grabbed two tries and there were also scores for Ben Westwood, Lee Briers, Matt Blythe, Alex Thompson, Micky Higham and Tyrone McCarthy at the Halliwell Jones Stadium. "It wasn't pretty from either side in terms of defence. But both teams tried and threw caution to the wind," he said.  

Harlequins skipper Rob Purdham returns to the squad for the visit of Bradford on Saturday. The loose forward has been sidelined since undergoing surgery to remove a blood clot on his wrist in June. Chad Randall is also in contention to return after a knee injury. Quins coach Brian McDermott is delighted to have his captain back in the team, commenting: "We've already started showing signs of momentum swinging in our direction and having Rob back in the team will add to that."  

The pass to no one just when they needed to find a man summed it all up as the Bulls crashed to another demoralising defeat. Having gone 20-14 down with just five minutes remaining, Bradford did all the hard work by winning the short kick-off and handing themselves a shot at getting straight back into the contest. But a few tackles later, as they attacked the Harlequins line, Paul Sykes sent out a pass which missed all his team-mates and bobbled harmlessly along to be dived on a by a relieved opponent  

"I thought Keiron turned in another really good display today. "But then again I cannot remember a time since I came here that he has produced anything other than a quality performance." St Helens ran in six first-half tries with Tom Armstrong the first to cross in the corner, and Tony Puletua helping himself to a brace.

I am still 100 per cent confident that we will make the play-offs.   -Brian McDermott

 

Brian McDermott insists he is not concerned about getting the axe despite seeing his Harlequins RL side fall to their sixth consecutive defeat last weekend. Saturday's 44-24 defeat at the hands of St Helens at the Stoop saw Quins slide out of the play-off places for the first time this season. But despite that sobering fact McDermott angrily denied suggestions he was looking anxiously over his shoulder.

I don’t feel that way at all.   -Brian McDermott

 

Tony Puletua bagged two first-half tries as St Helens stretched their lead at the top of the Super League table. Tom Armstrong, Leon Pryce, James Graham and Kyle Eastmond also scored as Saints totally dominated the first half. After the break Gareth Haggerty and Chad Robinson scored to give Quins hope but Chris Dean hit back for Saints.