Gustard: We can still make top four

HARLEQUINS suffered their fifth successive Pemiership defeat but head coach Paul Gustard still believes they can clinch a play-off place.

Justifiably claiming that for much of the match “we were the dominant team”, Gustard said: “Our defence was excellent, our scrum was dominant, the lineout worked well.

“It’s small margins at this level of rugby. Dombrandt put a foot in touch and we were held up three times over the line. That’s four possible try-scoring opporHARLEQUINS suffered their fifth successive Pemiership defeat but head coach Paul Gustard still believes they can clinch a play-off place.

Justifiably claiming that for much of the match “we were the dominant team”, Gustard said: “Our defence was excellent, our scrum was dominant, the lineout worked well.

“It’s small margins at this level of rugby. Dombrandt put a foot in touch and we were held up three times over the line. That’s four possible try-scoring opportunities and we got intercepted on their line.”

Northampton’s Friday night win over Newcastle dropped Harlequins to fifth place but Gustard maintained: “We have just got to win. We’re very close to being the team that we need to be again.

“We are still fighting and we’ve two games to prove we’re good enough to be in the top four.

“We made an horrendous start – it was a thunderbolt start to the game – but we re-grouped and showed resilience and great determination which is what we want.

“If they’re the best team in the country we’re not too far behind.”