Quins hold off Leeds

Harlequins survived a second-half fightback from Leeds Carnegie to claim a 30-27 victory at Headingley.

Quins flanker Chris Robshaw scored twice in the first half as the visitors went into the break with a 24-13 lead.

Leeds, however, belied their position at the bottom of the Guinness Premiership with two tries in seven minutes, through Kearnan Myall and Tom Denton, to reduce their deficit to 30-27 going into the final quarter of the match.

And the home side pushed hard for the try that would have secured only their second win of the season but could find no way through a resolute Quins defence.

Quick ball

Leeds forged ahead with a well constructed try in the fifth minute when Andy Gomarsall quickly recycled the ball to allow Richard Welding to re-emerge and squeeze over from point-blank range after his earlier involvement in the move.

Joe Ford added the easiest of conversions but the response from Harlequins was admirable.

They pinned back Leeds deep inside their own 22 and, after Nick Evans got them off the mark with a long-range penalty, Robshaw burrowed his way through a thicket of players to touch down in the 12th minute.

Evans added the extras and, although Leeds drew level with a penalty from Ford midway through the opening period, a horrendous defensive lapse gave Quins their second try moments later.

A high kick in the left channel was completely missed by Leeds full-back Leigh Hinton and centre George Lowe gleefully collected the bouncing ball and ran over the line at a canter.

Evans added the conversion to put his side 17-10 ahead but 10 minutes later Harlequins' England scrum-half Danny Care was shown a yellow card for a late tackle on Rhys Oakley.

Ford landed another penalty but Robshaw added his second try in the 35th minute, which was converted by Evans.

Evans then landed a three-pointer in the 47th minute put the visitors 27-13 in front.

Impressive

Yet Leeds hit back three minutes later when Myall was driven over the line and a similar effort from young replacement Denton seven minutes later - both converted by the impressive Ford - got Leeds right back in contention after Evans had kicked another penalty in between.

Evans spurned the opportunity to give his side breathing space when his late penalty rebounded off a post but it did not matter.

For Harlequins, life is beginning to look a lot better after the 'Bloodgate' scandal which threatened to bring the club to its knees in the summer.

After a woeful start to the season, Quins have lost only one of their last six Premiership outings to encourage hopes that they challenge at the top end of the table again.

Leeds, meanwhile, had to be content with a bonus point and have now lost three in a row since their victory at Wasps.