Harlequins boost play-off chance with 23-19 win over Leicester Tigers

Harlequins 23-19 Leicester Tigers, Twickenham Stoop
Scorecard

Harlequins have boosted their chance of play-off in the ongoing Gallagher Premiership with a 23-19 win over Leicester Tigers at Twickenham Stoop on Friday.

Harlequins now have 55 points from 21 games - four more than fifth placed Northampton Saints, who have a game in hand while the losing bonus point has helped Leicester Tigers to a 10 point lead over bottom placed Newcastle Falcons in the battle to avoid relegation.

Leicester Tigers had the first points on the board with a third minute penalty kick from George Ford but the Quins responded back strong with a try from Danny Care in the seventh minute and Smith's conversion made it 7-3.

Ford kicked two more penalties in the next 20 minutes that was separated by a three-pointer from Smith as the scoreline became 10-9. Just as the half-time was approaching, Harlequins suffered a setback with Jack Clifford sin-binned that allowed Ford to kick his fourth penalty providing the visitors with a slender two point lead heading into the second half.

The Quins seized the lead back at the start of the second half with back to back penalties and their chances further strengthened with Semi Kunatani diving across the line in the 74th minute that was improved by James Lang that made the scoreline 23-12 before Michael Fitzgerald with his try in the added minutes provided a vital losing bonus point for the Tigers.