McNamara hoping for change in weather for derby game

The Bulls were far from at their best but they still had too much firepower for the rock-bottom Londoners, who slumped to their seventh defeat in eight matches.

Quins led through Chris Melling's early try but Bradford were largely dominant throughout in a contest low on quality as Michael Platt and Brett Kearney went over before half-time and Steve Menzies added a third in the second half.

McNamara said: "There was a lot of endeavour and effort from both sides but the heavy pitch made conditions more difficult than they looked.

"It wasn't an A-star performance from either team but it was nice to get two points and that was the key.

"We'd love to be playing right at our best, but it's important to keep building.

"Summer cannot come quick enough for our side and hopefully on Thursday night at Headingley we get a good night of weather.

"Then both sides can play a game a little bit faster than we played tonight. For the good of the game, and the entertainment of the fans, I think we probably need to speed things up a bit."

A fine breakaway try from Danny Orr which Luke Gale converted set up a tense finish, but Matt Orford landed a late penalty and drop-goal to see Bradford home and dry.

McNamara, who praised Kearney's outstanding display at full-back, said he expects prop Andy Lynch to be available for the game at Leeds after he picked up knocks to his knee and ankle.

He added: "In the first 20 to 25 minutes of the second half I'm not sure how we never ran away with the game, the amount of line-breaks that we made. But credit to Harlequins for staying in there."

Harlequins coach Brian McDermott, who earned cult status during his playing days at Bradford as a fearsome prop, saw David Howell (calf) and Luke Williamson (head) pick up injuries.

But the former Bulls forward refused to be downbeat after his side's latest reverse.

He said: "I don't think kicking ice buckets and screaming that we've lost another game is the way to go. I praised them for the good things that we are doing. I know Bradford are not star-studded, but to compete with them and push them, I've got to be proud of that."