Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy was delighted with his side's hit-out ahead of next Sunday's Gillette World Club Challenge against Super League champions Leeds Rhinos.
The Australian premiers warmed up for the Elland Road clash with a 34-10 victory over a depleted Harlequins side in difficult, muddy conditions at the Twickenham Stoop.
"I'm really happy with that," said Bellamy. "The ground was very heavy and we were a bit concerned how heavy-legged we were going to be but we were pretty strict on the times we wanted to play the players so hopefully that will work out okay."
"I thought we played really well. We were really strong defensively and there were some good signs from some of our old guys and some of our younger guys."
Dane Nielsen overshadowed the comeback of his fellow centre Greg Inglis, the 2009 Golden Boot winner, with an impressive two-try display while Halifax-born fullback Gareth Widdop boosted his chances of facing Leeds with an encouraging performance highlighted by some near-faultless goalkicking.
Widdop, who emigrated with his family to Melbourne four years ago, succeeded with his first five conversion attempts before hitting an upright to lose his 100 percent record.
The 20-year-old Yorkshireman began the match at full-back in the absence of Billy Slater and demonstrated his versatility with a highly creditable spell at stand-off.
"Gareth is a very talented young player," said Bellamy. "He's got a fairly good player ahead of him in his preferred position but he played the entire second half at five-eighth so we're having a look at a couple of different positions for him."
"He'll have a chance of being on the bench next week. We're very happy with the way he's going and kicking goals from the sideline is a plus as well."
Inglis played the first half to successfully test a hip injury and will line up against the Super League champions at Elland Road, alongside Slater, Cameron Smith, Adam Blair and Jeff Lima, who were all rested.
"We only planned to play Greg for the first 40 minutes and he got through that okay," said Bellamy. "He didn't do a whole heap of work but the conditions weren't suitable for him. He'll certainly be playing next week."
"Jeff's hamstring was okay and he was going to play today but his foot got trodden on and it's a bit bruised at the moment. He'll be okay for next week hopefully."
Without the injured Cooper Cronk, Bellamy has yet to finalise his half-backs for the clash with the Rhinos as well as the make-up of his bench but hopes Sunday's friendly will resolve his selection dilemma.
"Today was going to be a bit of a D-day for that and we'll have a look at the tape and make a decision from there," he said.
The late withdrawal of front row pair Chad Randall (groin) and Danny Ward (shoulder) left Harlequins without eight regulars and coach Brian McDermott was forced to include 17-year-old half-back Max Edwards in his starting line-up.
The Super League side were outgunned from the start but raised the spirits of the 3,612 crowd with second-half tries from full-back Ben Jones-Bishop and winger Will Sharp, both created by second rower Luke Williamson.
"I've got to be honest, with the injuries we've got, I wasn't looking forward to today and I was a bit twitchy about getting any more," said McDermott.
"But for periods of the game I felt we went all right and, without getting too excited, I thought the young kids were pretty good."