Quins stand in way of two more points (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Quins stand in way of two more points

7:00am Saturday 1st August 2009 in

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Determined Rikki Sheriffe is not going to let his former Harlequins pals ruin the Bulls’ chances of a late-season flurry.

The winger hopes to inspire another Bradford win tomorrow as they bid to string together some results to keep their feint play-off hopes alive.

But Quins are just as desperate for success after falling out of Super League’s top eight for the first time this season.

Much now hangs on the crucial showdown at Odsal, with Sheriffe doubly excited as he prepares to face the team he only left last year.

He said: “I can’t wait to get into it. We won’t rule out the play-offs until it’s mathematically impossible but even if that does happen we want to win every game anyway.

“We know that’s what we have to do and we got a good win down at Celtic last week. Now, basically, Quins are in our way of another two points. That’s the only way to look at it.”

Although Sheriffe is confident his side have the formula to sweep Quins aside, he spent a few formative seasons in the capital and knows all about his former side’s fighting qualities.

Even though Brian McDermott’s men are on a six-match losing run, he appreciates the threat they constantly pose.

Sheriffe said: “Quins don’t really lose like other sides. They just lose by little things when things don’t quite go right for them.

“They are a very good side and I know we have to play at our best to get on top of them. No side can just rock up against Quins.

“I know what Brian (McDermott) is trying to do there and – although they’re on a poor run at the moment – there have been signs coming out of what they are capable of and I think in one or two seasons’ time, Harlequins will be formidable opponents for everyone.

Sheriffe admits there have been “some texts flying about” in the build-up to tomorrow’s game, which also sees fellow Bull Mick Worrincy go up against Quins for the first time since his departure.

But he said: “I was fortunate to leave Quins on good terms. I didn’t get pushed out or anything like that, it was just me coming back up north to my home-town club.

“It was a hard decision but it’s been a good one. I know it’s been frustrating for us this season but we started putting things right last week down in Wales.

“I know people will say it’s only Celtic Crusaders we beat but we were in it against Wigan the week before, only to let ourselves down with some bad decisions.

“When we do control it, like we did against Celtic, we showed what we can do. We could even have put another 40 points on that score last week but we were happy to be in control. That’s how we train and that’s how we’re aiming to play again tomorrow.”

Meanwhile, Sheriffe – who has scored six tries and played all 22 games this term – thought he might have come a cropper at the hands of swine flu earlier this week.

The 25-year-old winger roomed with team-mate Steve Menzies in Wales, who did go down with the bug.

Sheriffe admitted: “I felt a bit off on the day of the match but fortunately I was able to play and did okay. Come Monday I did feel bad and didn’t train but I’ve been fine since.”