St Helens 32 Harlequins 18: Magennis shines on Saints debut but Potter left to rue performance

Saints had already won at the Stoop in Super League and Challenge Cup and Francis Meli bagged a brace of touchdowns for the second match in a row to consolidate third spot.

Saints coach Mick Potter, taking over at Bradford Bulls next season, gave his players several days off last week and the break brought a change of fortune although it was far from a champagne performance.

At least Saints, after successive defeats by Leeds and Catalans to dash their hopes of the League Leaders Trophy, avoided three losses in a row for the first time since Potter succeeded Daniel Anderson two years ago.

Magennis, 20, was sidelined for more than a year with a serious knee problem and his only previous senior appearance was as a substitute at Hull in June.

But St Helens boss Potter tipped a bright future for Magennis.

Paul Wellens and Meli each scored two tries for Saints who are playing home matches at Widnes next season whilst their new ground is being built.

Magennis, 20, notched a try on his full debut with Saints' other touchdown coming from Chris Dean.

Potter said: "Shaun is a player for the future. He has had a hard 18 months with a knee problem but showed he can mix it up in Super League."

But Potter wasn't over-impressed with his side's patchy performance.

"It was a mixed bag," said Potter. "There were errors from both teams but it was a competitive match for the crowd. We were our own worst enemy at times."

Quins trailed only 20-18 until Dean went over 14 minutes from time and boss Brian McDermott said: "It was a very brave effort and I have never been more proud of my players.

"We had a real big dig and there were some excellent performances.

"Tony Clubb has been playing like that for a long time and Andy Ellis was outstanding.

"Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook suffered a dead leg and bravely went back out there but clearly was not the same."

St Helens: Wellens, Lomax, Gidley, Dean, Meli, Pryce, Moore, Graham, Roby, Hargreaves, Wilkin, Clough, Magennis. Substitutes: Puletua, Ashurst, Emmitt, Gaskell.

Harlequins: Dorn, O'Callaghan, Clubb, Jones-Bishop, Sharp, Orr, Gale, Ward, Ellis, McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Melling, Golden, Wilkes. Substitutes: Esders, Bolger, Krasniqi, Mills.

Referee: S Ganson (St Helens).