Harlequins romped to an emotional 50-22 victory over Crusaders in their Super League clash on Sunday without skipper Rob Purdham whose brother Garry was one of the 12 people shot dead by a cab driver in a gun rampage Wednesday.
Ex-Manly stand-off Luke Dorn scored four tries as Harlequins eased to victory at The Stoop where spectators observed a minute's silence.
Harlequins coach Brian McDermott praised his players for setting aside their upset at England international Purdham's loss and getting on with the job in hand.
"It has been really tough. But everybody at the club realised that we have a job to do," said McDermott.
"Out of respect for Rob himself we could not start to feel sorry for ourselves and let what has happened affect things.
"It would have been wrong for us to go out there and be anxious or tentative, even though it has been a horrible few days.
"But everyone realised just how massive a two points were on offer today (Sunday), and the players responded magnificently."
Elsewhere former Sydney Roosters wing Pat Richards was the star of the show as Wigan maintained their four-point lead at the top of Super League with a comfortable 38-22 victory over Castleford Tigers.
Richards - Super League's top points scorer so far this season - was clinical from the kicking tee, booting ten points to keep the Tigers at bay while Darrell Goulding scored three tries for Michael Maguire's men.
Captain Sean O'Loughlin scored twice for the Warriors while New Zealand Test halfback Thomas Leuluai and Chris Tuson also crossed the whitewash.
Tigers - coached by former Brisbane Broncos star Terry Matterson - held their own in the first half with Paul Jackson and Stuart Jones both grabbing tries.
But despite levelling through Brett Ferres early in the second half, Wigan's quality told and they secured the two points.
Former New Zealand Warriors wing Francis Meli scored four tries for St Helens - but it wasn't enough to hand them victory as Hull FC completed a stunning second half comeback to win 27-26.
Saints were in cruise control with just 30 minutes remaining as Meli added to his first-half treble to give the visitors what looked to be an unassailable 26-6 lead.
But Hull - lead by ex-Saints stalwart Sean Long - hit back scoring 21 unanswered points to hand them their third consecutive win.
Tries from Jordan Turner, Danny Houghton, ex-St George forward Willie Manu and Danny Tickle levelled the scores at the KC Stadium before Tickle's late drop goal snatched the points.
Ex-Wests fullback Brett Hodgson inspired Huddersfield to a thumping 52-6 victory against Bradford Bulls at Odsal Stadium.
Hodgson, who will leave the Giants to join Warrington Wolves next season, scored a try and kicked eight goals as Huddersfield ran riot.
Debutant wing Jermaine McGillvary scored two tries for Nathan Brown's men while Lee Gilmour, David Hodgson, Leroy Cudjoe, Luke Robinson and Darrell Griffin all got their names on the scoresheet.
Chris Hicks scored his 12th Super League try of the season as Warrington Wolves kept up the pressure on league leaders Wigan Warriors with a 27-10 victory over Salford City Reds.
Ex-Gold Coast Titans full back Richie Mathers laid the foundations for the Wolves' victory with two tries in the first half as they raced to a 16-6 lead at the break.
Mark Henry and Jodie Broughton got their names on the scoresheet for the Reds but tries in the last four minutes from Mickey Higham and David Solomona added the gloss to Warrington's win.
Leeds earned local bragging rights in west Yorkshire as they squeezed past struggling Wakefield 28-22 at Headingley. Ex-Newcastle hooker Danny Buderus was one of four try scorers for improving Leeds with former Manly wing Scott Donald, Danny McGuire and Jamie Jones-Buchanan also touching down.
Former Wests forward Ben Galea was one of four try scorers for Hull KR as they inflicted more misery on rock-bottom Catalans, registering a 24-6 victory at Craven Park.
Copyright 2010 AFP European Edition
