Paul Sykes claimed 14 points as Harlequins grabbed an important psychological advantage over Challenge Cup opponents Wigan.

Both teams grabbed two tries apiece but the boot of Sykes proved decisive as the former Bradford centre finished with a 100% kicking record.

In contrast, Wigan failed to kick a single goal to allow Quins to draw level with them on 16 points in the engage Super League.

The teams clash again at the JJB stadium on Friday night but the London side will go there full of confidence after bagging their fourth win in five games.

The visitors included Thomas Leuluai in their line-up after he was cleared of a slide tackle against Hull last week.

And it was almost inevitable the former Quins man would have a hand in the game's opening try.

With four minutes gone Pat Richards broke down the left-hand side and found Leuluai who played in full-back Chris Ashton to touch down.

Richards missed the kick on goal and was again left frustrated on 15 minutes when he sent a penalty crashing against the left post.Sykes

Harlequins weathered the early pressure and enjoyed some decent possession which was eventually rewarded on 28 minutes.

Matthew Gafa's clever pass sent Sykes clear and the 25-year-old converted his own try.

And the home side went into the break even happier when another Sykes kick gave Quins a four-point lead.

Gafa went from provider to finisher eight minutes after the break.

Mark McLinden made the break and former Wigan stand-half Danny Orr set up Gafa to power home under the posts.

Sykes maintained his perfect record with the conversion and hit another penalty to put Quins 16-4 up.

But Wigan refused to roll over and they hit back on 62 minutes when Trent Barrett raced clear down the left to touch down in the corner.

Orr nearly finished the game off but he was hauled down metres short of the try-line.

Instead it was left to Sykes to deliver the final blow when he stroked over his fifth kick of the day after Wigan second-row Gareth Hock was sin-binned.