Old Cottesmorians do battle in the Premiership: Wasps 16-22 Harlequins
Wasps: 16
Tries: Southwell, Varndell; Penalties: Robinson 2
Harlequins: 22
Tries: Hooper, Brown, Wallace; Penalties: Evans; Conversions: Evans 2
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Having displayed their defensive nous, Quins took control after a restart, Mike Brown and Luke Wallace finishing off sweeping moves by the visitors.
Hugo Southwell and Tom Varndell hit back with tries but Quins held on and were good value for the win.
The victory leaves Conor O'Shea's side nine points clear of Saracens at the top of the table and full of confidence for Friday's Heineken Cup clash with Toulouse, while Dai Young's team remain in ninth.
Harlequins were managing a number of injuries, with Tom Casson coming in for Jordan Turner Hall, lock Charlie Matthews replacing George Robson, captain Chris Robshaw starting at number eight in place of Nick Easter and Luke Wallace starting at seven alongside Mo Fa'asavalu.
Evans kicked the extras before Nick Robinson slippered over a three-pointer to settle the nerves and trigger a period of attacking intent from the hosts.
While Wasps showed ambition in the first quarter of the game, their work was undone by handling errors and turnovers.
Soon after, open-side flanker Wallace went over in the corner after a mazy run from Evans and a deft cross-kick from Danny Care.
Robinson rather scuffed his conversion attempt to leave his side trailing by 11 points, but a matter of seconds after Hopper returned to the fray, Varndell went slashing through the Quins defence after quick ball off the top of the line-out and touched down next to the posts.
Robinson, who has been in poor kicking form all season, hit an upright again with his conversion attempt from almost bang in front and O'Shea's side held on for their 14th win out of 14 in all competitions this season.
LINE-UPS
Wasps: Southwell, Varndell, Waldouck, Flutey, Wade, N. Robinson, Simpson, Payne, Webber, Broster, O'Donoghue, Wentzel, Birkett, Everard, Hart.
Harlequins: Brown, Stegman, Hooper, Casson, S. Smith, Evans, Care, Marler, Gray, Johnston, Vallejos, Matthews, Fa'asavalu, Wallace, Robshaw.