Harlequins coach Brian McDermott heaped praise on Australian stand-off Scott Hill after he single-handedly guided Quins to a much-needed win over Hull.

The hosts found themselves 16-6 down at the break but Hill - who missed the Carnegie Challenge Cup loss to Leeds with a hamstring problem - turned the tide in the second half.

Promising youngster Tony Clubb and Chris Melling both touched down twice thanks to the 30-year-old as Quins put their hat back into the play-off ring with a 34-26 success.

But McDermott insists his side must improve if they are to be serious contenders come September.

He said: "Scott was very influential for us - he looked quick and sharp.

"I thought we were poor and it was just a few individuals who stood up for us.

"I thought we lacked a bit of intensity and urgency but we managed to turn it around in the second half.

"It was very important for us to get the win - usually I am talking about performances but it was important for us to do what was required when needed.

"We have been playing a lot better in the last three weeks but winning was the main thing and that is what we achieved."

Richard Whiting, Tommy Lee, Danny Washbrook, Kirk Yeaman and Matt Sing all scored for Hull - but they could not find the answer to Hill after the break.

Whiting sustained a broken leg late on and coach Peter Sharp admitted his side were off the boil at the Stoop.

"We were mentally and physically fragile," he said. "The try just before half-time and the try just after did the damage.

"We are just low on confidence - we have got a lot of kids playing and we have got a few people who just can't get the job done at the moment.

"There is a lot of rugby left in the season but if we want to be up there we have to improve."

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