Wakefield Wildcats held off a spirited second-half fightback by Harlequins to clinch a hard-fought victory at Belle Vue.

The Wildcats had a mixed start to the season but this was their third win in four Super League games and moves them within a point of the top six.

Tries from Colum Halpenny, Semi Tadulala, Jamie Rooney and Ryan Atkins helped them to a 24-12 half-time lead, with Thomas Leuluai scoring twice for the visitors.

Luke Dorn and Mark McLinden scores brought Quins within two points at the start of the second half but a second try from man of the match Rooney and further tries from Jason Demetriou and Paul White put the outcome beyond doubt.

Quins went into the game in high spirits after enjoying back-to-back wins against Catalan and Wigan over Easter, and they took an early lead after catching the Wildcats defence flat-footed.

Scrum-half Leuluai found McLinden from a play-the-ball and the Australian's quick hands allowed Nick Bradley-Qalilawa to break through the Wildcats line just short of halfway and Leuluai was in support to touch down, with Rob Purdham adding the extras.

But the visitors allowed Wakefield straight back into the game by letting the kick-off to bounce out.

Wakefield returned the goal-line drop-out with interest, David Solomona taking the Wildcats forward before Halpenny, switched to wing with full-back Tom Saxton returning, scored from a Sam Obst grubber kick in the sixth minute.

The Wildcats were now up and running, and five minutes later, a superb inside pass from Ben Jeffries put Demetriou through on the left with Tadulala on hand to apply the finishing touch while Rooney made the kick.

Tempers then began to flare, culminating in three Quins players appearing to swing punches at Wakefield prop Michael Korkidas.

A number of other players charged in, with Quins loose forward Joe Mbu and Wakefield skipper Monty Betham sin-binned for their part in the melee while off for treatment.

After a lengthy stoppage, Rooney kicked the penalty to put the Wildcats 12-6 in front with 19 minutes gone, and Rooney reinforced their lead within three minutes, strolling through a gap in the middle for a converted try.

Quins hit back with Leuluai breaking through in the 26th minute before managing to wriggle over, but Wakefield responded seven minutes later when Atkins, the 20-year-old centre on loan from Bradford, powered through two attempted tackles to score.

Rooney's kick made it 24-12 but Quins cut the deficit just four minutes after the restart, Dorn collecting Leuluai's high kick to score his fifth try in three games.

Their fightback continued when McLinden forced his way over on the right in the 56th minute, although Purdham was unable to level the score with his boot.

At this stage the game could have gone either way and earlier this season the Wildcats have welted, but not today as Tony Smith's side mustered the energy to seal the victory.

First Duncan MacGillivray delayed his pass to Rooney, allowing the Wakefield star to time his run to perfection and break through the Quins line for a 64th-minute try.

Two minutes later, Solomona's offload put Demetriou and the Australian centre charged over.

Then with nine minutes remaining, Quins spilled the ball in Wakefield's half and White touched down after a 70-metre sprint to seal the two points.