Harlequins 24 Warrington 40: Lowes' Wolves feast on fruits of Monaghan show

Warrington's caretaker coach, James Lowes, said he had "loved" his first game in charge, a victory which his team's all-round performance just about deserved.

Michael Monaghan outshone Danny Orr in the battle of two of Super League's in-form scrum-halves as he orchestrated an unassailable lead by the hour. Chris Riley scored the first and last of Warrington's seven tries, all but the last being converted by Chris Hicks. In between it was the Monaghan show, on the back of a powerful display by the Wolves forwards.

After 25 minutes, Monaghan combined with Matt King to send Louis Anderson through, the Kiwi forward showing an impressive turn of speed to score his side's second try.

Quins' Scott Hill, who was left on the bench for the first 16 minutes, showed his class on 32 minutes, flicking a pass on for Gareth Haggerty to send Tony Clubb in for a try which was converted by Rob Purdham. Seconds before the hooter, Hill set up Chris Melling, who showed patience before handing Michael Worrincy a try. Purdham levelled the scores despite Warrington's superiority.

Their army of fans, who basked in the sunshine in the East Stand, need not have worried. Four converted tries in 15 minutes after the break sealed the points. Martin Gleeson put the visitors ahead; Monaghan finished what he had started, taking Gleeson's ball to score; King brushed aside Rikki Sheriffe to score on the left; and Clarke took advantage of a break by Hicks, whose four goals made it 36-12.

Quins made the Wolves fans sweat even more when Haggerty pulled one back, Sheriffe outpacing King to score. The home side laid siege to the Warrington end but Quins – who were fielding a London club Super League record of 12 Englishmen – had left themselves too much to do.

Quins' coach, Brian McDermott – who has been linked with the Warrington job – said he would "like to stay" in London.

"Warrington don't have to look far for their man," he said. "Jimmy would make a good coach."

Harlequins: Melling; Sharp, Clubb, Howell, Sheriffe; Purdham, Orr; Temata, Randall, Ward, Worrincy, Barker, Paul. Substitutes used: Hill, Mbu, Haggerty, Grayshon.

Warrington: Hicks; Riley, Martin Gleeson, Grix, King; Briers, Monaghan; Morley, Clarke, Rauhihi, L Anderson, Westwood, V Anderson. Substitutes used: Mark Gleeson, Parker, Bracek, Harrison.

Referee: R Silverwood (Mirfield).