Harlequins eased into the quarter-finals of the Carnegie Challenge Cup with a comprehensive win over Second Division Oldham.

Brian McDermott's engage Super League side, inconsistent this season, were in control from the moment man-of-the-match Chris Melling opened the scoring after just 56 seconds.

The former Wigan youngster waltzed in from 60 yards after collecting Paul Ashton's kick to set the tone for a one-sided contest.

Paul Sykes then completed a quickfire hat-trick for the Londoners, in between which there were also scores for Karl Temata and Mark McLinden - the latter running in from a scrum just in front of his own posts.

Ashton got Oldham's only try just after the half hour, latching on to Neil Roden's clever kick to give the home side deserved rewards for their efforts, which were not aided by a succession of injuries.

Wes Rogers, Said Tamghart, Geno Costin and Chris Baines were all forced to retire early, giving coach Steve Deakin precious little room for manoeuvre.

Turning round 34-6 up, Harlequins continued to press on in the second half and John Grayshon pounced on Danny Orr's grubber to increase the visitors' lead.

As Oldham, shorn of replacements, started to tire, Harlequins continued to push forward in search of more tries.

Melling got his second score after getting on the end of another Orr kick, before Andy Smith got in on the act with a double of his own.

One more each for McLinden and Temata helped McDermott's men to reach the last eight, with Rob Purdham ending the game with nine conversions.