Leicester 25-29 Harlequins: Marcus Smith helps visitors to impressive Gallagher Premiership victory
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ByEurosport
Updated 12/11/2023 at 09:42 GMT
It was a nip-and-tuck Gallagher Premiership Rugby affair at Mattioli Woods Welford Road, but there was to be no home joy as Harlequins made off with a tight victory over Leicester. Handre Pollard kicked well from the tee for the hosts, but Marcus Smith was impressive in an attacking sense for Quins, whose five tries put them out of reach of their opponents.
Harlequins celebrate after Dino Lamb scores their second try during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby match between Leicester Tigers and Harlequins at Mattioli Woods Welford Road Stadium on November 11, 2023 in Leicester, England.
Image credit: Getty Images
Harlequins claimed a fourth-straight win in Gallagher Premiership Rugby with a thrilling 29-25 five-try victory against Leicester Tigers to return to the top of the table.
In a see-saw contest that could have gone either way at Mattioli Woods Welford Road on Saturday, it was outstanding Italian lock Dino Lamb who powered over to seal a narrow win for Quins on 70 minutes, just seconds after South African World Cup winner Handre Pollard had slipped over a penalty to give the Tigers a 25-24 lead.
It was no more than the visiting side deserved after some sharp and clinical finishing that was best illustrated by a thrilling Tyrone Green team try just before half-time to give Quins a crucial 17-15 interval advantage.
Quins are a point clear of Sale Sharks at the summit of the standings with 19 points from five outings, with Leicester second bottom on six points.
The visitors' other tries came from the excellent Alex Dombrandt and Will Porter, who finished off a superb attacking move with his side trailing 22-17 on 53 minutes before Marcus Smith added the second of two conversions.
On a fairly disappointing day for the home side, who also had South Africa's Jasper Wiese and England players Ben Youngs, Freddie Steward, Dan Cole and Ollie Chessum involved, tries from Hanro Liebenberg and two from Freddie Steward were not enough to deny a vibrant Quins.
Talking point – Can Harlequins challenge for the title?
They certainly seem to carry enough menace and resilience to make a real push for silverware. Which are two key ingredients in any side intent on challenging at the top of the table.
Every time Leicester went ahead of them before a 20,000 crowd, Quins had an answer with their winning try a thing of beauty in sealing a merited bonus-point victory.
There is a long way to go in this arduous campaign with injuries likely to influence any prospective trophy push.
But Billy Millard’s side are clearly not top of the standings by good fortune.
Player of the match – Dino Lamb (Harlequins)
Two fine tries from Lamb in a performance of high energy and real intensity both in attack and doing the hard yards in tracking back to repel the Leicester surge.
Early days in this campaign, but Gallagher Premiership Rugby leaders Quins have the bit between their teeth as Lamb acknowledged in speaking to TNT Sports afterwards.
“We had to stay composed and disciplined. It’s great," he said.
“We have great relationships on and off the pitch. It feels like a different Quins and it’s great to be part of.”
Player ratings
Leicester: Brown 6, Steward 6, Kelly 6, Kata 7, Bassett 7, Pollard 7, B Youngs 7, Van Wyk 6, Clare 6, Cole 7, Henderson 6, Chessum 6, Liebenberg 7, Rogerson 6, Wiese 7
Harlequins: David 7, Green 8, Beard 7, Anyanwu 7, Lynagh 7, Smith 8, Porter 7, Marler 7, Riley 7, Collier 7, Launchbury 7, Hammond 7, Lamb 8, Evans 8, Dombrandt 8
Match highlights
5' QUINS HAVE THE FIRST TRY! Alex Dombrandt powers over the line with the Tigers shoved right back on their line. Riley with the pass and that is 5-0 to the visitors after 15 plus phases of play. Marcus Smith shanks the conversion attempt as it comes back off the outside of the sticks. Didn't expect that.
47' TRY FOR LEICESTER! Quins make a mess of the line-out. Ball breaks to Leicester at the back as they pile through Anyanwu before Brown sets up Steward to finish in style. Pollard adds the conversion. A 22-17 lead for Leicester. Referee came across Alex Dombrandt, who is far from happy with that score.
53' ANOTHER TRY FOR QUINS! Will Porter with the finish this time. Brilliant play from the visiting side. Alex Dombrandt and Andre Esterhuizen making some battering runs Quins and Porter does the rest. A 24-22 lead for Quins. Smith adds the two.
66' POLLARD FROM BETWEEN THE STICKS He floats that pen over with ease and that is suddenly a 25-24 lead for Leicester. 15 minutes remaining of this absorbing contest.
70' ANOTHER TRY FOR QUINS! Dino Lamb gets under Mike Brown for his second try of the match. Quins get their rewards for opting against taking the easy pen. Smith is off target with the conversion. A 29-25 lead for the London side.
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