LV= Report: Leicester tigers 25-34 Harlequins

Let no one tell you that the age of miracles has passed. It can’t have done. Last night at Welford Road, for the first time since 1997, Harlequins administered a sound beating to Leicester Tigers in their own lair, running in three tries to win 25 -34.  

There have been victories over the Tigers since 1997, but usually in cup matches and at The Stoop.  This was no inexperienced Leicester side.  They had eight internationals on the field and more on the bench. But it was Quins that played the rugby while Tigers, encouraged by their increasing superiority in the scrum as the referee’s whistle gave them penalty after penalty at the set piece, scored only from the boot of Twelvetrees and an inevitable penalty try.

The opening half-hour produced a regular supply of penalties with Nick Evans slotting four in the first sixteen minutes and Twelvetrees also with four bringing the scores level at 12 – 12 at the half hour. Then a good break away from a scrum by Robson produced a position from which Tomas Vallejos was able to barge across for the first try and Evans duly converted.

Although Evans missed with his next penalty kick, a yellow card for Hawkins, the Tigers’ hooker, allowed the fly half to extend Quins’ lead to 12 – 22 at the interval. Despite the continuous rain, Harlequins were in command.

Five minutes into the second half, Twelvetrees was able to reduce the arrears with another penalty which went through off the post. Then came the try which effectively sealed the victory, opening a fourteen point gap in the score.  A high up and under clearance was caught by Comacho who was able to break away and put Tom Guest in for a try between the posts. Evans duly added the points.

Another penalty again allowed Twelvetrees to reduce the arrears before he was substituted. But then Harlequins’ scored their third try. With Quins on the attack, a pinpoint accurate cross kick from Nick Evans found Comacho in space for a deceptively simple score. Even thought the conversion was missed. The sixteen point lead, 18 – 34, was one that never looked likely to be overturned.

The Harlequins’ scrum was now under increasing pressure in their own twenty-two as the Tigers’ pack continued to win penalties at the set piece.  Four successive penalties and repeated scrums brought a yellow card for Chris Brooker and the reduction of the Quins’ pack to seven.  The inevitable penalty try followed and was converted.

But despite the ferocious attacks which they mounted, Tigers were not able to add to their score and the final whistle sounded for a fine Harlequins victory.