Match action
LEICESTER’S endeavour and spirit earned them an invaluable win at the Stoop yesterday although Quins supporters were left rueing a refereeing decision that possibly cost them a draw and arguably a shot at victory.
At 28-apiece Marland Yard attacked dangerously down the right flank and was legally challenged by Ellis Genge as he kicked. Not quite so legal, it appeared, was a second challenge that followed as Telusa Veainu jumped into Yarde, elbows and knees to the fore and left him sprawling on the ground.
Definite penalty and a shot at goal and arguably a yellow card to boot, as the fans bayed. But no whistle! Tigers counter attacked 70 yards upfield and were then awarded the matchwinning penalty. Such is sport and Leicester will have their own complaints; indeed they were unhappy at the death when the match clock allegedly ‘froze’ and gave Quins a final passage of play.
A wonderfully vivid game simmered for most of the first half before coming to the boil fully, but it was worth the wait as a minor classic emerged.
Young Marcus Smith, who was to enjoy a fine game before being substituted with a dead leg, opened the scoring with a penalty but Leicester replied in short order with a Ford penalty and a welltaken try in the right hand corner by the quick-footed Veainu who looked dangerous whenever in possession.
Ford couldn’t add the extras and Quins soon gained the initiative with a brace of Smith penalties and it was still nip and tuck at half-time with Leicester going back into the lead with another Ford penalty,
Anybody’s game and it was Quins who fired first in the second half when Danny Care struck from short range from a trademark tapped penalty and then Mat Luamanu scored a cracker that saw Quins at their best.
It started when a piledriving tackle from Chris Robshaw – who knocked himself out in the process – disrupted a Leicester attack. A hurried Tigers pass was fumbled and the quick-thinking Smith immediately passed onto Yarde who made good ground beore releasing the burly No 8 who powered over from 40 yards.
Tigers responded with a ridiculously simple looking try for Jonny May who didn’t even have to engage third gear after Danny Care had gambled in midfield as he came sprinting out of the line. Mat Toomua is much too good a player not to take advantage and released May expertly.
Better was to follow when Greg Bateman displayed serious gas and a classy serve to storm in from the 22. On as a temporary replacement his ‘reward’ was to immediately be recalled to the bench.
That was the score that set up the exciting finale and although Quins have grounds for complaint on that one massive call they will also acknowledge that overall no grave injustice was done.
Both sides ripped into a cracking game and it was Leicester who were leading when the final whistle blew.