Two second-half tries by Rikki Sheriffe strengthened Harlequins' grip on an engage Super League play-off place despite a battling comeback by Catalans Dragons.

Trailing 18-12 at the break, the French side clawed their way back to 24-22 at Twickenham Stoop but Brian McDermott's men held firm to record their ninth victory of the season.

The last two matches between these sides had produced 114 points and fans of attacking rugby were again not to be disappointed as Mick Potter's men flew out of the traps.

Centre John Wilson twice went close from blistering bursts up the left wing before Casey McGuire snatched an Adam Mogg pass and dived over to give Catalans a deserved lead.

Harlequins dragged themselves back into the match as strong running from Scott Hill allowed talismanic scrum-half Henry Paul to scramble under the posts.

But even after Paul Sykes converted to level the scores at 6-6 it was the Dragons who were controlling possession and they duly got their reward just before the half-hour.

Clint Greenshields started the ball rolling with a 50-metre sprint up the right wing and the hard-working full-back got his reward when he collected on the 10-metre line to drive over for a try which Thomas Bosc converted.

But as so often with Potter's men, a lack of concentration in defence cost them.

With half-time looming, good interplay by half-backs Hill and Paul saw the latter slice through the centre of the Dragons' back line to bag his second try before loose forward Matt Gafa got his name on the scoresheet with another four points.

Sheriffe added another try for Quins just after the break but the Dragons were spurred into action and hit back with tries from replacement Sebastien Raguin and Bosc to trail by just two points and set up a tense final 20 minutes.

But despite dominating possession in the final quarter, Catalans could not find a cutting edge and Sheriffe settled matters with his second try in the final minute.