 Paul Wellens scored his 24th try of the season |
St Helens: (12) 32
Tries: Cayless, Graham, Wellens, Flannery, Gilmour
Goals: Tyrer 6
Harlequins: (10) 10
Tries: Sheriffe 2
Goals: Paul
St Helens moved two points clear at the top of the Super League thanks to a commanding second-half performance against Harlequins at Knowsley Road.
Paul Wellens, Chris Flannery and Lee Gilmour added to first-half tries from Jason Cayless and James Graham.
Winger Ricki Sheriffe touched down twice for the visitors, who have not won in their last six matches.
Teenager Stephen Tyrer kicked six goals, while opposite number Henry Paul added just two points from the boot.
St Helens coach Daniel Anderson: "I don't think I've seen him (Wellens) play poorly. He threw away a couple of passes in the first half but as usual he was in the right position to defuse every kick.
"And he got another try, so it keeps him there or thereabouts for top try-scorer.
"In terms of him winning Man of Steel, I wouldn't argue with that, but it's difficult to pick someone over the course of the year at St Helens because so many players have played well.
"I was really pleased with the performance because they just refused to be slack in the second half."
Harlequins coach Brian McDermott: "We couldn't match them in the second half and in terms of the play-offs our chances are very slim.
"Mathematically we can still get into the play-offs but realistically it's over.
"There's the slimmest of slim chances that we can still get in there - and we will be going for it - but in all reality the play-offs have gone."
St Helens: Wellens, Gardner, Gidley, Talau, Tyrer, Pryce, Long, Fozzard, Cunningham, Cayless, Gilmour, Wilkin, Flannery.
Replacements: Roby, Graham, Clough, Fa'asavalu.
Harlequins: McLinden, Wells, Sykes, T. Smith, R. Sheriffe, Hill, Orr, Temata, Randall, McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Gafa, Purdham,Paul.
Replacements: Hopkins, Rinaldi, Grayshon, Mbu.
Referee: B Thaler (Wakefield)
