David Howell reckons the only way is up for Harlequins RL after the Stoop side ended their ‘big-game hoodoo’ with a stunning victory at Leeds on Friday night.

Howell crossed for two tries as Quins earned a fully deserved 21-4 victory at Headingley, a ground where they crashed 48-0 last season.

And the Australian centre insists the result will make the rest of their Super League rivals sit up and take notice.

Howell said: “We have really struggled to get a win at places like that in the past so it was a fantastic result for us.

“We knew that if we did what we wanted to do we would run them pretty close.

“But to be honest I don’t think anybody thought we were going to go up there and win.

“It was just a case of getting back to basics, and we held on to the ball a lot more than we have recently.

“We controlled the game and were pretty comfortable.”

Howell took his try tally for the season to eight with his brace, which was added to by a Chad Randall score as Quins shocked the Grand Final champions.

But the 25-year old remains modest when asked about his free-scoring feats.

Howell added: “I just think it is about being in the right place at the right time.

“My confidence is building week by week.

“I am getting more and more comfortable with the players around me, and I am getting a lot more opportunities because of it.”

Quins head to Scotland this weekend for the Murrayfield Magic festival when they come up against Salford.

And Howell is looking forward to the occasion.

He added: “I’ve never been to Scotland before so I’m really up for it.

“Hopefully we can do the same to Salford as we did a few weeks back (winning 48-18) - but they have improved since then so it will not be easy.”

Harlequins RL’s next three matches: May 2 Salford (MM), 17 Wakefield (h), 22 St Helens (a)