Harlequins 22-16 Salford

Joe Mbu of Quins is held up by the Salford defence

Harlequins: (10) 22
Tries: R Sheriffe 2, L McCarthy-Scarsbrook, J Rinaldi
Goals: P Sykes 3

Salford: (10) 16
Tries: L Dorn, J Wilshere, R Barnett
Goals: D Hodgson, J Wilshere

Rikki Sheriffe scored a brace of tries as Harlequins saw off relegated Salford at the Stoop.

Louis McCarthy-Scarsbrook and Julien Rinaldi also crossed for the hosts, with Paul Sykes kicking three goals.

Salford, who were level at 10-10 at the break, scored three tries through Luke Dorn, John Wilshere and Richie Barnett.

But despite a goal each from David Hodgson and Wilshere, the rock-bottom Reds were unable to prevent their 19th defeat of the season.

It was Quins' first win in six weeks and kept them within touching distance of the play-off games.

They must now beat Catalan Dragons in Perpignan next week and hope other teams slip up if they are to make the end-of-season shake-up.

Quins' hopes were fading early on as Salford forced them onto the back foot.

Henry Paul's sloppy pass was intercepted by winger Barnett, who ran half the length of the field to touch down under the posts and former Warrington man Wilshere added the extras to make it 6-0.

But Salford's lead lasted just seven minutes as replacement Rinaldi charged his way through the Reds' defence to score with Sykes notching the conversion to level.

Salford then found themselves behind when Sheriffe nipped in at the corner to score his third try in two games.

But the scores were level going into half-time when Dorn crossed the whitewash having been put through by Kevin McGuinness.

Dorn's try gave Salford the impetus they needed after the interval and stand-off Wilshere's converted try restored their lead.

But Harlequins regained their composure and when Sykes converted McCarthy-Scarsbrook's flowing try, parity was restored.

Sheriffe then wrapped up the win when he skipped past the Barnett to cross the line in the corner.

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Harlequins coach Brian McDermott

"It will be hard to qualify for the play-offs but while we've mathematically got a chance we're not going to give up.

"We have never been mentioned in the relegation fight after being favourites to go down at the start of the season.

"We had a really good purple patch mid-season which secured our safety and the players deserve credit."

Salford boss Shaun McRae

"There were periods in this game when we spent so much time defending that when we got the ball, we had wasted too much energy.

"That's been our Achilles heel all season.

"When we went 16-10 up, I thought we defended well and with an ounce of luck, we would have won."

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Harlequins: Wells, Clubb, T. Smith, Sykes, R. Sheriffe, Orr, Hill, Temata, Randall, McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Hopkins, Gafa, Paul.
Replacements: Rinaldi, Mbu, Grayshon, Bannister.

Salford: Fitzpatrick, Hodgson, McGuinness, Moule, Barnett, Wilshere, Ratchford, Korkidas, Alker, Nash, Littler, Brocklehurst, Turner.
Replacements: Highton, Leuluai, Gower, Dorn.

Referee: P Bentham (Warrington)