Milestones & Farewells at Quins

Rob Purdham, along with Paul Sykes, will become only the second player in the London squad to chalk up one hundred games for the capital club. These are also the first two English raised players to achieve the milestone in the Broncos and Harlequins era.

Neil Budworth, who is set to end his five year spell in London having played 98 games, will fall just short of joining them.

Purdham has been a mainstay of the pack in 2006 and last week was deservedly called up to the England Squad to play in this year's Federation Shield tournament where he will reunite with his former Whitehaven coach Paul Cullen.

"It's a real honour for me. I've played with so many great men who are also members of the 100 Club like Steelo (Retchless) and Toshy (Toshack) and of course Psycho (Paul Sykes) and it really does mean a lot to me. Hopefully we can celebrate with a win not just for me but for a few of the lads who will be leaving us," commented the club captain.

Danny Williams is one such player on the move, set to hang up his boots after Saturday's game. It will be an emotional day for the club's most experienced player who will retire after playing his 256th top flight game in a career spanning 13 years.

Williams made a name for himself at the Melbourne Storm club where he played 146 games before joining London Broncos. Included in that period was an NRL Premiership title in 1999.

"The game has been really good to me and I hope to stay involved with rugby league for a long time to come. I've played with and against some great players and really good people and that is one of the best things about our game, the friendships you form."

'My time in London has also been really rewarding and I know I'll be leaving Quins in good shape. I think the club has a bright future, as does the game here in London."

You can read more from Danny in this week's free ezine.

Tony Rea commented: "Danny is a great character with an infectious personality. He has shown responsible club ethics in his time here and we've certainly appreciated his contribution."

"Rob has this club in his veins and his best years are still to come. Out of the one hundred games he has already played with us, never once has he shirked his responsibilities."

"Budders (Neil Budworth) has been unlucky with injury and that is what forced our decision. In his time with London he has personified all that we want from our players and we will certainly be keeping an eye on him."

Coach Brian McDermott added: "Rob reaches a goal in his career that, as a young kid in Cumbria, he will only have dreamt of. He has a lot more years left in the game and I'm sure he will pick up many accolades and honours before he reaches his next century."

A number of other players soon to be leaving the club will see Saturday as a final chance to say farewell. Players without contracts for 2007 include: Nick Bradley-Qalilawa, Neil Budworth, Luke Dorn, Thomas Leuluai, Mark Tookey, Filimone Lolohea, Rikki Sheriffe, Paul Noone and Ade Adebisi

Missing from the team will be Thomas Leuluai (hamstring) and Lee Hopkins (knee) with McDermott adding Mark Tookey, Michael Worrincy, Jon Wells and Nick Bradley-Qalilawa to the squad.

Harlequins RL 20: Bradley-Qalilawa, Budworth, Dorn, Gafa, Haumono, Heckenberg, Lucky Luisi, McLinden, Mills, Noone, Paul, Purdham, Randall, Smith, Stewart, Sykes, Tookey, Wells, Williams, Worrincy.

Salford City Reds 20: Fitzpatrick, Hodgson, McGuinness, Moule, Dunemann, Robinson, Coley, Alker, Rutgerson, Finnigan, Charles, Highton, Wilshere, Haggerty, Littler, Brocklehurst, Adamson, Lima, Williams, Turner.

Referee: S Ganson

Tickets to Saturday's final game of the season start at just £12 when booked in advance – 020 8410 6000.
Quins RL v Salford, 3pm Saturday 16th September, the Twickehnam Stoop