Quins move up to second

Harlequins have scored a 32-6 bonus-point victory at Leeds, a result which moves them into second place in the Guinness Premiership and all but seals the hosts' relegation from the top flight.

The win was orchestrated by Danny Care, who progressed through the ranks at Leeds' academy before joining Quins in 2006 and has finally ousted Andy Gomarsall as Quins first-choice scrum-half.

The Leeds-born half-back combined with fly-half Adrian Jarvis to strong effect and also touched down a 52nd-minute try before departing to warm applause shortly after the hour.

Care's form saw him in the England training squad towards the end of the Six Nations and more of the same should see him included in the squad to tour New Zealand this summer.

Despite his contribution, Dean Richards' young side played below their best - but they were still much to good for an outfit for whom relegation beckons.

Mike Brown's first-half try helped Quins to a narrow 11-3 lead at the interval but they then upped the pace, with further scores coming from Care, Jim Evans and captain Will Skinner.

Leeds were making errors early on, with a shocking offload from Argentinian fly-half Alberto Di Bernardo falling woefully short of its intended target.

Gulf

Harlequins' opening try in 13th minute further underlined the gulf in class between the two sides: a simple, clinical move started by Jarvis flighting a high kick into Leeds' right corner and ending with full-back Brown outjumping Richard Welding to touch down.

Jarvis, who had kicked a third-minute penalty, missed the extras before Leeds, for the only real time in the match, gained a foothold.

Di Bernardo kicked a 16th-minute penalty before Jarvis missed one from distance 11 minutes later - Leeds hooker Vili Ma'asi having been sinbinned for kicking the ball away in a ruck.

But Jarvis kicked his second penalty seven minutes before the break to hand Harlequins their eight-point half-time advantage.

Leeds cut the gap to five points when Di Bernardo kicked a penalty in the 46th minute but Quins then started to pull away when Care touched down - the number nine collecting the ball from the back of a scrum and forcing his way over the line from close range.

Jarvis added the extras before a Leeds attempt to respond down the right flank - Leigh Hinton feeding the overlapping Welding - ended when Ugo Monye made a covering tackle.

Care then departed with Evans forcing his way over for another six minutes later.

Jarvis converted and did once more after Harlequins claimed their bonus point in the last minute - Skinner barging his way over from close range.