Harlequins 10 Wakefield Wildcats 18: Kear delight at opening win

In a game of immense physicality, and one that saw Wakefield's Richard Moore and Quins' Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook red-carded, Trinity always seemed to have that little extra.

Kear lauded his side for digging in for the two points, saying: "I thought we showed some very good character and some very good resistance.

"I know that this is a very tough place to win at and I have come unstuck here before.

"I am very happy with the result and happy with most of the performance.

"Obviously there is stuff to work on for next week and we need more sharpness in a few areas. But this bedded in a few of the new players and that is a big plus.

"As far as the sendings-off went, I honestly did not see what happened – it seemed to just blow up so I will have to look at it on DVD."

With tough defence from both sides, most notably the hosts, the game was touch and go throughout. But the visitors always looked the more likely winners, having taken an early lead through Daryl Millard's try.

For the hosts, debutant Ben Jones-Bishop proved a shining light, and his searing break hauled the hosts back into the contest midway through the opening half.

Minutes before half-time, though, the Wildcats pulled clear thanks to Ben Jeffries' excellent try, only for Jones-Bishop to claim his second after the interval.

It was left to Wakefield full-back Aaron Murphy to settle matters, rounding off a flowing move to touch down.

There was still time for tempers to flare with both Moore and McCarthy-Scarsbrook dismissed after a melee at a scrum.

Quins coach Brian McDermott took a philosophical approach to defeat, adding: "In Ben Jones-Bishop we have someone who is pure class – I'm not going to start talking about England or anything like that but he is that good."

Harlequins: Jones-Bishop, Melling, Clubb, Howell, Sharp, Gale, Orr, Wilkes, Randall, McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Williamson, Esders, Golden. Replacements: O'Callaghan, James, Ward, Bolger.

Wakefield Trinity Wildcats: Murphy, George, Gleeson, Millard, Morton, Obst, Brough, Korkidas, Leo-Latu, Tronc, Ferguson, Henderson, Morrison. Replacements: Jeffries, Newton, Demetriou, Moore.

Referee: I Smith (Oldham).

Andy Lynch will today be announced as the new Bradford Bulls captain with Jamie Langley his deputy.