St Helens extended their winning run to 19 games to go two points clear at the top of Super League but they had to do it tough against a Harlequins side who are finishing the season strongly. They led 16-6 at half-time and Saints needed to move up a gear to see off their challenge which they did convincingly, rattling up 24 points without reply.

The visitors looked flat in the first half against a rejuvenated Quins side who scored tries through Rob Purdham, Scott Hill and Julien Rinaldi with Purdham adding a couple of goals.

The sole response from St Helens was a try from Paul Clough converted by Kyle Eastmond, who was at scrum half in place of the injured Sean Long.

Willie Talau scored immediately after the break to reduce the deficit to six points and in the final quarter Saints broke Harlequins resistance. James Graham and Jason Cayless both hit flat passes at pace to touchdown within minutes of each other, then Ade Gardner crossed in the corner before Talau wrapped things up with his second try. Eastmond converted two and Matt Gidley one to give a scoreline a somewhat flattering look.

Daniel Anderson, the St Helens coach admitted his side had been a little flat in the first half saying. “It happens sometimes," he said. "We’re not always going to be perfect but I don’t think we could be accused of being flat in the second half. We just ramped it up and played with a lot more vigour and in the end pressure told on Quins.”