Quins rue missed chances
Harlequins squandered a half-time lead for the second consecutive home game to draw with Wigan at the Stoop on Saturday.
By Simon Dilger
Last Updated: 18/08/07 5:41pm
Harlequins squandered a half-time lead for the second consecutive home game to draw 16-16 with Wigan at the Stoop on Saturday.
Two second-half tries from Trent Barrett meant that the home side were forced to share the points with visitors Wigan after leading 16-8 at the break.
And, had it not been for the poor kicking form of Pat Richards', Quins would have almost certainly lost the match.
It was a familiar story for Quins, who led by a similar margin in their last home game against Leeds before eventually losing 54-20.
With leading try-scorer Paul Sykes missing, Quins, who have not won in five games, relied upon Mark McLinden.
The full-back provided game's opening try in the 14th minute, setting off from his own half on a winding run before giving the ball to Matt Gafa for an easy score.
It was the boot of Henry Paul who provided the extra points to put the home side ahead after Richards' first-minute penalty had given Wigan the initial lead.
Brilliant
Five minutes later Scott Hill touched down to extend Quins lead after he was put through by Chad Randall.
The visitors rallied however and when a Danny Orr's was charged down by Gareth Hock Thomas
Leuluai was on hand to pick up the offering and score against his former club.
But it was Mark McLinden who had the final say, crossing the line with a brilliant solo effort to give Quins a healthy lead at half-time.
A period of sustained pressure from the visitors after the restart saw Barrett touch down on five minutes but Richards missed the conversion.
McLinden had a try disallowed for obstruction in the 53rd minute but a minute later Shane Millard set up Barrett for a fantastic solo try.
With the scores level Richards again missed the conversion and then missed two drop-goal attempts which would certainly have won the game for the visitors.
