Will Sharp has revealed a desire to pay back Harlequins RL’s long-suffering fans was the impetus behind his match-winning hat-trick of tries against the Catalan Dragons on Sunday.

Sharp helped himself to a triple as the Londoners eased past the French side 16-4, earning their first win of the new campaign and moving off the foot of the Super League table.

And the winger admitted the result had gone a long way to easing the pain of the previous week’s thrashing at Warrington.

Sharp said: “We owed the fans a performance like that.

“After the Warrington game the players realised that we had let a lot of people down and we knew we had to go out there and get a win against the Catalans.

“This is just what we needed and it will give everyone a lift.

“We know when we get our main players back, especially among the forwards, that we can give anyone a game and hopefully we can kick on from here.”

Sharp rounded off a flowing move for his first, claimed a spectacular catch for his second and burrowed through a mass of bodies for his third as Quins opened their win account.

And the back was understandably delighted with his efforts.

He added: “I really had to work for those tries.

“The second one I have actually been practising in training - claiming the high ball and grounding it instantly.

“With the third luckily the guy lifted his leg and I was able to get the ball down, which I was pretty happy about!”

Sharp also paid tribute to the returning Ben Jones-Bishop, the on-loan full-back once again showing flashes of brilliance.

Sharp added: “We really missed Ben against Warrington and he made a big difference today.

“He has great speed and he is very skilful.

“He opens up space for the other players and that gives me a lot more room to work in.

“He is also a very calming influence - you know he is safe under the high ball and in defence and you do not have to worry what is going on behind you.”

Harlequins RL’s next three matches: Feb 21 Melbourne Storm (h), 26 Hull FC (a), Leeds Rhinos (a)