Harlequins 32 Leicester Tigers 12
A Harlequins try in the final seconds summed up Leicester Tigers' performance at The Stoop as they slumped to a 32-12 defeat to the hosts.
The visitors started strongly in the opening 20 minutes and led 9-3 thanks to the boot of Owen Williams.
Yet as Quins grew in confidence following an opening try from Danny Care, Leicester's play went downhill with poor ball control and discipline contributing to their downfall.
Harlequins were desperate for a win to reignite their season and they played that way, stifling Leicester at every opportunity in defence and playing with pace and precision in attack – something the Tigers were sadly lacking.
Scores from Jack Clifford and Marland Yarde put the game out of reach and then, with time expired, Tim Swiel's try sent The Stoop into raptures.
Tigers started very brightly and carried the game to Harlequins in the opening quarter.
Fresh from signing a new contract, fly-half Owen Williams kicked three from three off the tee to give the visitors a 9-3 lead.
With a number of half breaks thrown into the mix, Leicester just couldn't find the final pass to get over the line.
Quins began to get some possession though and when Danny Care darted over on 22 minutes for the first try of the contest, they were right back into it.
Leicester came right back and a Williams break put Graham Kitchener through. The big lock needed a support runner that wasn't there though and Quins cleared their lines.
Mat Tait, outstanding throughout, was next to break through the home side's defence but Tigers lost the ball amidst a flurry of offloads.
The game was very open now and Quins has gained plenty of confidence from their try. That confidence led them to a second try just before the break. Care's tap-and-go ended with flanker Jack Clifford going over. Botica missed the extras but Quins led 15-9 at the half.
Tigers needed to score first in the second half but it was the home side who made the early running.
Their first attack ended with a knock-on after they had caught the kick-off but their second attack resulted in a third try.
Williams mis-hit a clearance kick straight to Marland Yarde and he ran straight through the Leicester defence from 40 metres out without a finger being laid on him. It was criminal defending from the visitors and Botica's conversion seemed to have killed the game dead at 25-9.
Williams pulled three points back to 25-12 and Leicester enjoyed some possession and territory as they chased a comeback try.
Despite dominating possession though, Tigers either shot themselves in the foot with poor ball control or got pinged by referee Luke Pearce who absolutely hammered them on the floor at the breakdown.
Tigers huffed and puffed, amidst a flurry of substitutes, in the final 15 minutes and almost totally dominated possession. But they were muted in attack as the hosts defended resolutely.
Knock-ons and poor discipline at the breakdown ended any hope of momentum and Quins had little problem holding on to their lead for a crucial win.
