Warrington Wolves 28 Harlequins RL 22.

WARRINGTON Wolves took a huge step towards the play-offs with Saturday's defeat of Harlequins at The Halliwell Jones Stadium.

Wolves edged five points clear of the chasing pack with three games to go against the top three - Leeds away on September 1, Hull at home on September 10 and St Helens at home on September 17.

The Rugby Football League's disciplinary chiefs will decide if Wolves prop Paul Rauhihi is to play any part in those games after he was sent off in the 61st minute for a high tackle on Quins prop Daniel Heckenberg.

Wolves were 28-16 ahead at that time and were able to survive the final 19 minutes with 12 men, only conceding one further try to hooker Chad Randall.

Paul Cullen's men opened the game with a 12-0 lead inside nine minutes.

Brent Grose intercepted an ambitious pass by Henry Paul and, although he was hounded down by opposite winger Nick Bradley-Qalilawa, the Australian handed a try on a plate for the supporting Chris Bridge.

Five minutes later Michael Sullivan's long pass found Martin Gleeson in space and his deflected offload was picked up by Henry Fa'afili, who touched down his 22rd try of the season.

Lee Briers converted both but Quins pulled six points back with a 20th-minute try from substitute Solomon Haumono.

Bridge's 34th-minute grubber kick brought acrobatics out of Toa Kohe-Love as he dived to catch the ball in mid-air and planted it safely before crossing the dead-ball line.

Wolves finished the half on top with Briers finding Logan Swann on an angled run and he sent Andy Bracek flying home.

Paul's long pass allowed Bradley-Qalilawa to claw back six points at the start of the second half but Briers showed his long passing ability too, handing a try to Martin Gleeson in the 51st minute.

That proved to be Wolves' last score, while Harlequins added two more from Bradley-Qalilawa in the 57th-minute and Randall with three minutes to go.

* Wolves' under 21s home match against St Helens will now be played on September 4 at 7.30pm.

The match had been scheduled to take place on Wednesday but will instead go ahead at The Halliwell Jones Stadium next month.