'Quins in nine-try rout over Galwegians

Belfast Harlequins 68 Galwegians 10, Deramore Park

Belfast Harlequins were certainly in play-off mode at Deramore Park today, as South African WP Strauss inspired them to a nine-try 68-10 Division One win over Galwegians.

Centre Strauss pocketed an incredible 33 points as 'Quins swept easily to their sixth straight win, keeping the pressure on the leading two Shannon and Clontarf, who lie just a point ahead of Andre Bester's men.

'Wegians were right in it however, at 10-7 in front after half-an-hour. A neat try from fly-half Tom Allen and conversion and penalty from John Cleary saw them lead.

'Quins though, without a home win against the Connacht visitors since 2000, hit back with four devastating tries in the final ten minutes of the half.

Strauss, Stuart Lambe, Paul McKenzie - scoring his fourth of the campaign - and Mark Kettyle all touched down as 'Quins reacted well to turnover ball, and added to Ian Humphreys' early effort.

Strauss converted them all for a 35-10 buffer into the break.

More of the same from last season's semi-finalists followed with Lambe benefiting from what looked like a knock-on for his second, before Stuart Wilson, Strauss and Colin Atkinson heaped further misery on Bernie Kelly's 'Wegians.

Strauss - the match-winner against Lansdowne last week - grabbed his third in injury-time to end a devastating display.

Scorers:

Harlequins: Tries: Ian Humphries, WP Strauss 3, Stuart Lambe 2, Paul McKenzie, Mark Kettyle, Stuart Wilson, Colin Atkinson; Cons: Strauss 9

Galwegians: Try: Tom Allen; Con: John Cleary; Pen: Cleary

HT: Harlequins 35 Galwegians 10