McDermott hails Quins' team spirit

5:23pm Tuesday 22nd April 2008

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Brian McDermott has revealed that dressing-room spirit is one of the key factors driving Harlequins' encouraging start to the season.

The Quins coach spoke out after seeing his side produce a stunning second-half display to dismantle Castleford 44-14 and book their spot in the Challenge Cup fifth round on Saturday.

And McDermott was eager to hail the efforts of his players.

He said: "The players had all the right things to say at half-time and we have a lot of good leaders in the dressing room.

"I left halfway through the break thinking we've got this covered'."

In a classic game of two halves, Quins produced a error-strewn first-half display to enter the break 14-0 down.

But second-half tries from Michael Worrincy, Chad Randall, Tony Clubb, Danny Orr, David Howell, Gareth Haggerty and Danny Ward saw them run out comfortable winners.

And McDermott was delighted with the way his side bounced back from the Super League drubbing at the hands of St Helens.

He added: "In training this week, it was all about us and it needed to be.

"The players just need to play to the way we have agreed.

"At half-time, the message was we can get back in this game - we just have to do what we planned to do.

"But I have never been involved in a game with that big a turnaround."

Attention now switches back to Super League, with a visit to Wakefield on Saturday.

And the Londoners will be looking to double up after seeing off the Wildcats 34-18 earlier in the season.

McDermott added: "The team has had a bit of yo-yo form recently.

"We need consistency and we will work to get it.

"But this result gives a great boost to take forward."