Harlequins 16 Catalans Dragons 4: Sharp picks up hat-trick to see off Catalans' challenge

Sharp grabbed all three Quins tries as the Londoners claimed their first victory of the season in a hard-fought contest that saw David Ferriol dismissed late on.

The opening minutes of this battle of the winless sides was pure tedium – both teams adopting a safety-first approach as they struggled to cope with a boggy pitch and driving rain.

The closest either side came to livening things up was when the Dragons played the ball through the hands to create some space, only for Olivier Elima to knock on.

A searing break from Ben Jones-Bishop close to his own line signalled the arrival of Harlequins as an attacking force, and they took the lead on 11 minutes.

Danny Orr delivered a neat inside pass to Ryan Esders who cantered into space, feeding the supporting Chad Randall who in return released winger Will Sharp for a clear run to the line.

The hosts were now on the front foot and only desperate defence kept them from extending their lead shortly afterwards, David Howell racing clear only for a host of Catalans bodies to prevent him from grounding.

The French side were creaking, and only excellent instincts from Clint Greenshields saved the day moments later as he reacted quickly to smother Jones-Bishops's grubber through.

And that rearguard action was to prove crucial as the Dragons hauled themselves level on 25 minutes. Casey McGuire got the side moving, and when Elima broke through a handful of soft tackles Greenshields was there to scamper home.

The game remained nip and tuck with two very evenly-matched sides going at it hammer and tongs, providing a keenly-fought battle, if low on entertainment.

Quins retook the lead right on the hooter, Orr's towering kick spectacularly gathered and grounded by the leaping Sharp.

The hosts came out for the second half with a spring in their step, and it was Sharp who extended the lead, managing to ground the ball after great work from Jones-Bishop and Howell.

Orr converted from the touchline and suddenly the mood was lifted.

The French visitors were far from a spent force, but the Quins defence was more than up to the task and the Dragons were getting precious little.

No doubt mindful of their pasting last week at Warrington, the Londoners elected to keep things tight and frustrate Catalans rather than try anything overly adventurous.

And the French frustration boiled over with 15 minutes remaining when Ferriol was dismissed for throwing a punch at Jason Golden.

Orr stroked over the resulting penalty to open a healthy lead, and the hosts kept the French side at arm's length for the remainder of the contest.

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

Catalans Dragons: Greenshields, Bell, Walker, Sa, Pelo, Mogg, Barthau, Ferriol, McGuire, Guisset, Elima, Gossard, Johnson. Substitutes: Raguin, Mounis, Carlaw, Fakir.

Referee: R Silverwood (Dewsbury).