Five-star Harlequins land late knockout

By ROB WILDMAN

Leicester …………………….. 25pts

Tries: Liebenberg 20, Steward 33, 47

Conversions: Pollard 33, 47

Penalties: Pollard 8, 66

Harlequins ………………….. 29pts

Tries: Dombrandt 4, Lamb 16, 71, Green 40, Porter 53

Conversions: Smith 16, 53

HARLEQUINS started and finished in charge of an excellent and hectic clash that saw them outscore the Tigers by five tries to three.

Quins were guided to a fourth win and leadership of the Premiership by the attacking edge of Marcus Smith and a resilient pack that never allowed Leicester to dominate.

The lead changed hands four times after the interval and the contest was only settled by a 71st-minute try from Quins flanker Dino Lamb who had also scored in the first half.

Leicester recalled all their England contingent in a team that showed only six starters from the previous week's defeat at Saracens. Freddie Steward, on the wing instead of in his England, scored two of their three tries.

Quins' assistant coach Nick Evans felt his team had “earned the win,” but urged his squad not to get ahead of themselves. “We've got a big game next week against Saracens.”

“We had to stay in the fight here and we kept grinding away,” he added.

To the credit of the teams they produced a refreshing contest – free nearly of prolonged kicking duels – that zipped along before a big crowd.

Quins' attacking intent brought three tries in the first half, the opener after only four minutes. No.8 Alex Dombrandt finished off following a series of drives after he had made the initial break from a line-out supported by scrum-half Will Porter.

Leicester quickly responded through a penalty by Handre Pollard only to be cut open again by Quins' sharp play when Lamb scored the second try, this time from a lineout drive in the 13th minute.

Smith, having hit the upright for the first conversion, improved the try for a Quins lead of 12-3.

Leicester found their best patterns in the middle of the half and scored twice to lead 15-12 after 32 minutes.

Helped by disrupting Quins' lineout, they established the pressure to forge a 20th-minute try outwide for captain Hanro Liebenberg. The flanker athletically touched down in the corner and Leicester followed that by grabbing a second try in the 32nd minute when Steward was put clear by Pollard's pass on the right.

With Pollard converting the second try, Leicester led 15-12 and looked set to turn-round ahead. However, Quins seized on a Tigers dropped pass and from the scrum Smith made the space to give Tyrone Green a chance to scurry over at the corner. Though Smith made a hash of the conversion, Quins led 17-15 at the break.

Ace: Tyrone Green finishes in the corner for Quins fourth try. Below, Alex Dombrandt celebrates the win

PICTURES: Getty Images

That advantage lasted just seven minutes into the second half as a determined Leicester dominated the opening to work another try for Steward on the right. Pollard converted and Tigers were back in front at 22-17.

However, that lead was overhauled again by Quins in the 53rd when Porter shot clear having caught the Tigers defence off guard. Smith converted the simple conversion for a 24-22 lead.

Leicester led again through a Pollard penalty but the crucial moment was a further attack by Quins down the left.

Tigers thought they had defended and cleared the danger, but referee Ian Tempest awarded a penalty which Quins took quickly and the attack ended in Lamb forcing his way over.

Smith failed to land the conversion but his contribution with ball in hand had made a difference, especially the try before halftime when Green escaped to score in the corner.

Flying in: Freddie Steward scores for Leicester