Quins continue dream start

Stegmann: First-half try

Harlequins maintained their unbeaten start to the Aviva Premiership season after claiming a 27-18 victory over Leicester.

The visitors, who now have a perfect record of six wins from six, grabbed their first win at Welford Road since 1997 and condemned the Tigers to their third straight home defeat in the process.

Sam Smith, Seb Stegmann and Joe Marler all crossed for tries while Nick Evans booted a total of 12 points to see Quins across the line in an exciting contest.

Boris Stankovich and Scott Hamilton crossed the try-line for Leicester in the first half but the hosts could not gain the upper-hand on the scoreboard despite dominating the contest between the two sets of forwards.

Leicester made a flying start as a catch and drive from a line-out in the visitors' 22 saw Stankovich cross for the try, with fly-half Jeremy Staunton being unable to convert.

But their lead did not last long as two fine flowing moves saw Smith and Stegmann both touch down within two minutes of each other, with Evans adding the extras both times.

The Tigers were then dealt a further blow when wing Matthew Tait limped out of the action with a leg injury to be replaced by Hamilton.

Tries

Leicester made it four tries in the first 20 minutes when an excellent three-quarter move finished with Hamilton crossing the line and Staunton converted.

The home pack were now in control and their superiority was almost rewarded when Alesana Tuilagi's effort was ruled out as the wing put a foot in touch before crossing the line.

However, Leicester edged back in front when Quins were penalised for not releasing and Staunton kicked a 45-metre penalty to make it 15-14.

The advantage was once again short-lived, however, as Tigers No. 8 Julian Salvi was penalised for obstruction at a line-out and Evans restored the visitors' advantage with a simple penalty before half-time.

Despite feeling the strength of the home pack, the league leaders collected the first score of the second half when Evans kicked his second penalty after 52 minutes, although that was soon cancelled out with another one from Staunton.

Quins crumbled under the pressure at the scrum as the conceded a string of penalties, but Staunton could not succeed with a 45-metre effort on goal.

And Harlequins then produced the sucker punch as a brilliant forward drive from the Leicester 22 culminated in Marler picking up and powering over for the decisive score, with Evans' conversion completing the scoring.