Leicester Tigers claimed a bonus-point 35-29 win over Harlequins in Round 19 of the Gallagher Premiership season at Mattioli Woods Welford Road on Saturday afternoon with Ellis Genge scoring two of the tries.
The game produced five tries in the opening 25 minutes as Tigers led 21-12 and they stretched that to 29-12 by half-time with Genge’s second score securing the bonus point in the 40th minute.
But Quins had the better of the scoring in the second half and were still pressing forward with the clock past the 80-minute mark as they trailed by just six points.
Matt Scott and Tom Youngs scored either side of Genge early on before Tigers crucially survived without conceding a point during a period down to 13 men and the prop returned from his yellow card to notch his second score at the close of the first half.
With 17 tries in the previous three games and more than 500 points in 18 league rounds, Quins arrived with the chance to go into the top two in the table and their second-half attack illustrated their threat as they finished the day with five tries and two bonus points despite defeat to Tigers for the first time since Christmas 2018.
On a mild but overcast afternoon, Tigers kicked off towards the Robin Hood Stand end and had to wait only four minutes for a breakthrough.
After Scott had won an initial penalty over the ball, the centre was able to provide the finish for the try. It began with a lineout drive which took play fully 20 metres upfield and quick recycling after carries by Nemani Nadolo and Guy Porter, which provided the chance for Ford's perfect delayed pass as Scott hit a gap to attack to the left of the posts.
When Quins were whistled again for contact in the air at a lineout, Ford pushed play into the left-hand corner and this time, ball off the top allowed Jasper Wiese to charge for the line, but Quins closed him out before conceding another penalty.
Genge took the tap and support arrived in time to help drive him over the line as Ford added the extras to make it 14-0 on 12 minutes.
Calum Green made a confident catch at the restart but Quins regained possession and showed good hands and support lines to free Joe Marchant towards the line and he put Nathan Earle in to score though Marcus Smith pushed the conversion wide.
A tackle from Nemani Nadolo gained turnover ball as Tigers threatened again, but TMO intervention highlighted a late tackle in midfield and Quins had the penalty. Harry Wells read the lineout throw, though, to steal ball and Ford soon had another chance to gain territory with another penalty.
His perfect kick reached touch just a handful of metres from the left corner flag and the forwards made the most of the opportunity, with skipper Youngs steering the drive and then barging over the line for his fifth try of the season. Ford’s kick made it 21-5 with 20 minutes gone.
Tigers soaked up pressure after the game’s first scrum on 22 minutes but then stole ball back on the floor, only to be blown for offside in chasing a clearing kick and being hauled all the way back to their own five-metre line.
The kick to the corner gave Quins a chance to set up a drive and, when it was stopped just short, referee Luke Pearce - who will be in charge of the Heineken Champions Cup Final next weekend - awarded a penalty try for collapsing the maul to make it 21-12.
Tigers restarted a man short with Dan Cole sin-binned as he was identified as the culprit.
Smith and half-back partner Danny Care then attempted to play out from behind their own line and when the clearing kick lacked distance, Tigers had a chance to maintain pressure through a series of phases which ended with a deliberate knock-on in defence by Earle as Scott looked for Nemani Nadolo on the left.
Earle departed to the sin-bin but TMO Tom Foley called the referee’s attention to a previous ruck clearance by Tigers and, after numerous replays, Genge was yellow-carded for contact with the head and Earle called back on to the field as Quins were given the penalty.
It left Tigers with 13 men but, with Quins trying to play from deep, Reffell won another breakdown penalty and, although Ben Youngs was stopped as he went for a quick tap 15 metres out, the visitors were blown again and this time Ford kicked the points while also helping to take down the clock on the yellow cards.
When Quins used two penalties to build position in attack, Tigers stood firm and forced ball loose on their own five-metre line.
Cole returned in time for the scrum, though Nadolo had to make way to get Luan de Bruin on to the field on the other side of the front row before Tigers could clear their lines.
Genge and Nadolo returned with their team-mates having come through the period of both sin bins without conceding a point and they were quickly back into action, carrying strongly in attack as Genge got on the ball for a second time, forcing his way over the line for the bonus-point score with just a few seconds left of the first half. Ford’s kick drifted wide with Tigers 29-12 in front as the left the field.
Steve Borthwick's men started the second half with Scott and Nadolo threatening in attack and Ford adding another kick to make it 32-12, though it was to be their final score until the closing moments.
Hanro Liebenberg replaced Wiese on 50 minutes and then Tigers sent on a complete new front row but, after losing set-piece ball, Steward had to gather ball back on his own line after a Quins break upfield.
The visitors remained on the attack, Alex Dombrandt linking up with Marchant out wide on the left before the wing claimed his side's third try when pressure from the forwards gave Smith space to chip to the left-hand corner. The conversion made it 32-19 on 55 minutes.
Spells of rain tested both footing and handling skills in the remainder of the game, with Nadolo again winning ball after a dominant tackle on halfay and then Joe Heyes pressuring Smith after charging down a kick to keep Quins pinned back.
A knock-on from Smith's big kick clear also brought a set-piece penalty which he pushed into the right-hand corner. Although Tigers' lineout defence barged the maul towards touch, ball just stayed in play and the visitors were eventually able to work play to the corner where Earle dived in for their fourth try and a bonus point although Smith pushed the kick wide with his side eight points down with eight minutes left to play.
half-back replacements Zack Henry and Richard Wigglesworth hunted down Marchant as he caught high ball in defence and they were rewarded with a penalty and the fly-half added the three points from 22 metres out to stretch the advantage to 35-24.
Quins were still not done, though, and scored a fifth try in the left corner from Luke Northmore after a sweeping break led by Tyrone Green and Martin Landajo. Smith failed to add the extras with the score at 35-29 and fewer than four minutes left to play.
A penalty in their own half gave Quins a chance to get forward again and there was less than a minute remaining when they had a scrum put-in which led to an offside penalty 30 metres out.
They played to touch but when they opened up to play in midfield, Kini Murimurivalu clamped on to the man on the floor and won the penalty which made the five-point win complete.
Commentary
FULL-TIME | TIGERS 35-29 QUINS
HUGE WIN | Tigers hold on at the death as the first half performance put them in the driving seat. A 35-29 win in what will be the final game at Mattioli Woods Welford Road behind closed doors.
82
KINI WITH THE PENALTY AT THE DEATH!
Smith kicks into the corner. 10 metres out for the catch and drive. Tigers defending well. The maul still in tact and the penalty goes Tigers way through Murimurivalu!
80
BIIIG SCRUM
It's a hugely important scrum with just a few minutes left. Landajo feeds and Dombrant goes the other way, the phases building up for Quins.
Marchant making yards but we'll go back for the penalty advantage, so one more chance for the away side.
78
QUINS APPLY PRESSURE ONCE AGAIN
Quins now with the ball from Henry's kick. Steward collects from the return, but Guy Porter gives the penalty away at the breakdown.
Quins find touch and Lewies wins. The maul follows. And makes the metres. The backs come forward from left to right.
TRY FOR QUINS - TMO?
Luke Northwell's try is awarded after a check from the TMO and it was a blustering break from the away side.
Smith misses the kick again with less than five to play.
75
QUINS NOT DONE YET
Tigers retain possesion from the kick off. An exchange of high balls with Quins finally opting for the ball in hand. Green and Landajo link up down the Tigers left. And it looks like another try for Quin...
HENRY KICKS PENALTY POINTS
Zack Henry easing the pressure for Tigers in the closing minutes as Tigers extend their lead to 35 points to Quins 24.
73
TIGERS PENALTY CHANCE
Henry with the restart. Marchant underneath it. And Landajo kicks clear. Henry kicks the clearance and Marchant again collects.
Penalty goes Tigers way as James Chisholm is off his feet.
TRY FOR QUINS
It's Nathan Earle who gets the try with ten minutes left on the clock for Quins. Smith misses the conversion.
70
QUINS KEEPING ON TURNING..
The line-out is collected by Quins and the Tigers defence does its job holding up play. It hasn't found touch however, and Quins edge towards the five metre line.
Quins employing he short runners. Left to right and Tigers holding strong. Into the 10th phase, 12th, Smith finally releases Tyrpne Green who finds Nathan Earle... who looks to have the try
69
QUINS TURN SCREW
Another scrum, following the first reset with Martin Landajo feeding in. Penalty goes Quins way and Smith finds the Tigers corner on their left hand side.
67
TIGERS FUMBLE AT BACK
The two packs face off yet again with the ball in Quins possession. Dombrandt comes forward from the base. Marcus Smith forced to kick.
Guy Porter can't collect the high ball and possession conceded by Tigers.
TIGERS REPLACEMENT
Zack Henry comes on for George Ford at fly-half.
64
TIGERS KEEPING THIER COOL
Hanro Liebenberg collects the high ball from the restart. Penalty goes Quins way, as Tigers adjudged to have contact in the air. Smith finds touch.
The long line out penalised as the Quins side are offside, a wasted opportunity and the ball back with Tigers. Touch found by Ford.
62
TIGERS FINDING GAPS
Quins struggling to handle the pressure as Joe Heyes charges down a Marcus Smith kick, ball back in Tigers hands and Fordy attempts the nudge, but it just trickles out.
TIGERS REPLACEMENT
Nemani Nadolo comes off for his international team mate Kini Murimurivalu.
60
TIGERS IN FRONT ON THE HOUR MARK
Tigers still in front as a scrappy line out rolls in favour of the away side. Car box kicks and Tigers back in possesion.
59
ANOTHER NADOLO HIT
Scrum penalty goes Quins way and they find touch down the Leicester right flank.
Lewies wins in the air. Care finding Smith and Baldwin and Marler involved. Quins upping the phase play. But Nemani Nadolo with another HUGE hit and the win at the breakdown turns the ball over for Tigers.
TIGERS REPLACEMENT
Cyle Brink comes on for Tommy Reffell in the back row for Tigers.
56
TIGERS RESPONSE
Tigers not lying down as they begin the phase play. Ford involved throughout as Richard Wigglesworth upping the pace.
Matt Scott just spotted on the recieving end of a forward pass from the scrum-half.
TIGERS REPLACEMENT
Ben Youngs makes way for Richard Wigglesworth at scrum-half.
QUINS CONVERSION
Marcus Smith with the chance from the boot and its extra points for Quins in the second half.
TRY FOR QUINS
Joe Marchant can walk over for a try for Tigers after a little lob from Marcus Smith.
52
QUINS COME BACK AT TIGERS
Tigers can clear their lines following a quick break from Quins, as the backline exchange quick hands.
Fordy clears and the line-out is quick for Quins. Dombrant finds Joe Marchant out wide and Marhler pops the ball back to Dombrant.
Quins knocking on the door here, as they employ the short bursts from the forwards. Smith has the ball in hand and sees Joe Marchant out wide...
TIGERS REPLACEMENTS
1,2,3 replaced by 16,17,18 for Tigers. Genge, Youngs and Cole come off for Luan de Bruin, Charlie Clare and Joe Heyes.
49
QUINS ASKING QUESTIONS
Quins come away with the ball from the scrum and Tigers having to dig deep as the away side go more direct with ball in hand.
Kenningham and Earle held up for Quins. Care to Smith to Baldwin and the penalty against the attacking side.
TIGERS REPLACEMENT
Jasper Wiese makes way for Hanro Liebenberg at No.8 for Tigers.
47
HEAVY RUNNERS FOR TIGERS
Baldwin with the line out for Quins, maul held up and the penalty comes Tigers way.
The heavy runnnig of Wiese and Tom Youngs coming forward. Dan Kelly almost finds Guy Porter out wide. Jasper Wiese back involved and Ford finally opts for the high ball.
Steward and Green collide as the full-backs go for the high ball, and Luke Pearce will let them recieve some treatement.
MILESTONE FOR FORDY
45
TIGERS BIG IN DEFENCE
Smith kicks off to the Tigers right flank. Ben Youngs with the box kick, collected by Tyrone Green. Smith releases Kenningham and Dombrandt joins the fold.
Smith and Green link up again. But they can't work it down the line and finally forced into touch by Freddie Steward.
PENALTY KICK FOR FORD
George Ford kicks the first points of the second half, as Tigers extend their lead after some great work by the Leicester heavies.
42
TIGERS PRESSURE FROM THE OFF
Caulm Green rises high from the restart. Cleared by Ford and taken by Tyrone Green who finds Smith. Nadolo reads the chip from the fly-half and Quins forced to kick clear in their own half.
Tom Youngs with the line-out. Martin wins and releases Jasper Wiese, he finds Matt Scott. Nadolo picks up. Green and Wiese back with the ball in hand.
Play comes back away with Ford who finds Steward and the ball is turned over. And the penalty then back with the home side.
40
40 TO GO FOR TIGERS WIN
Marcus Smith restarts things here at Mattioli Woods Welford Road as Tigers 40 minutes from an important win the closing rounds of the Gallagher Premiership.
HALF-TIME | TIGERS 29-12 QUINS
Tigers securing the bonus point try in an exhilarating half for the home side. An Ellis Genge double on top of tries from Tom Youngs and Matt Scott see Tigers in charge at the break.
40
FORD MISSES ON HALF-TIME
George Ford with a miss as the clock ticks over the 40 minute mark. Scores stay as is.
GENGE AT THE DOUBLE - TRY
Ellis Genge with another try of his own making as he boulders over for his second try of the game and a bonus point try for Tigers before half-time.
39
FINAL MINUTE OF HALF
Danny Care forced into the box kick, as Tigers lose the line-out in the air.
Tigers with the ball from the restart and Nemani Nadolo enters the gain line. Tigers truning the screw as Ellis Genge makes a hole in the Quins defence.
He's not done yet and it's direct from the prop and he has a second!
37
SCRUMMING DOWN
Jasper Wiese runs the ball out from the scrum as Luan de Druin replaces Nadolo for the set-piece. He runs into traffic however, as Quins win the ball and try to move quickly over to the left.
Marcus Smith too eager however, and penalty for Tigers.
Ellis Genge back on as its 15 v 15 once again.
34
COLE RETURNS
The Tigers defence holding strong from the away side's set-piece. Penalty finally goes Tigers way as Tommy Reffell wins the decision, as Dan Cole returns to the field of play.
34
QUINS PRESSURE
Penalty goes Harlequins way from the restart, as they seem desperate to play quick with Tigers still down to 13 men.
The line-out sees the maul attack Tigers. But it's forced out of play, but illegally in the opinion of Luke Pearce. Quins touch again.
FORD PENALTY FOR TIGERS
George Ford takes the three points for Tigers from a central position. Tigers 24 points to Quins 12.
30
TIGERS QUICK THINKING
Youngs and Ford team up to clear Tigers lines as the ball still with Quins. The sway side opting to run things out. But they've gone straight into trouble and penalty awarded to Tigers,
Ben Youngs goes quickly, and he's keeping up the quick pace for the home side. Penalty once again for Tigers, as the pressure gets to Quins again.
28
13 TIGERS TO QUINS 15
Tigers down to 13-men with the two props for the home side serving time in the bin. Quins quick to try and make the advantage count.
Danny Care with the box kick. Returned fire by Tigers. Tyrone Green comes forward but Nadolo there once again in defence.
YELLOW CARD REVERSED
Ellis Genge is shown a yellow card for contact to the head in the clear-out, which sees Nathan Earle return for Quins as it was before the deliberate knock-on.
EARLE YELLOW CARD FOR QUINS
Nathan Earle shown a yellow card for a deliberate knock on in the danger zone as Tigers attack.
26
TMO TIME
Matt Scott almost works the nudge down the line, as Quins hurried in the defence. Marcus Smith finally kicks clear.
Line-out for Tigers. Try-scorer Tom finds George Martin once again, the maul rumbles forward, but meets strong resistance.
Harry Wells picks up, George Martin binds to Wiese as the back row look to bolster through.
Ford and Steward pick things up. Ben Youngs with quick deliver to his England counterpart Ford. A kick forward for Scott looks like it's deliberatly knocked on by Nathan Earle.
Luke Pearce goes upsatirs for this...
COLE SHOWN YELLOW
Dan Cole shown the resulting yellow for his role in the penalty try for Quins.
PENALTY TRY FOR QUINS
Dan Cole is penalised for collapsing the maul and Luke Pearce awards the points to Harlequins - he'll also be in the sin bin with the yellow shown to the prop.
23
QUINS KICK INTO TIGERS FIVE METRES
Marcus Smith finds touch for Quins as Dan Kelly is penalised on the clearance. Scott Baldwin throws in and the maul moves forward - it collapses however and Luke Pearce awards the penalty try.
22
SCRUM TIME
Quins and Tigers pack go head to head in the scrum as Danny Care feeds in. Quins attack and move forward to the Tigers right flank. Care and Smith link up before finding James Lang.
Joe Marler tackled by Dan Cole, and Earle tries to dent the Tigers defence. It's won by the home side though and kicked clear.
THREE OUT OF THREE FOR FORD
He's not missing at the moment as George Ford on hand with the extras once again. Tigers 21-5 Quins
TRY FOR TIGER SKIPPER TOM
Tom Youngs starts the set-piece and finishes off the line-out drive with a third try for Tigers in the opening 20 minutes!
19
TOM YOUNGS THROWS AND COLLECTS
Youngs to Martin to the skipper again, and he's collected the ball back from start to finish and he'll drive over for the game's third try!
17
FORDY FINDS FIVE METRE
George Martin with the interception from the line-out, Quins win the ball back at the breakdown however.
Penalty for Tigers, as Quins penalised for the extra roll on the floor. George Ford with an outstanding kick into the corner!
15
QUINS BALL
Penalty win for Quins from the restart and Smith finds touch for the away side.
Quick exchange between Dombrant and Care. A HUUUGE hit from Nadolo wins the ball back for Tigers. And the ball back in Quins hands before Tom Youngs catches the player late.
13
CONVERSION MISSED
Marcus Smith misses the conversion attempt from out wide.
TIME FOR QUINS TO ATTACK
Tigers making a blistering start, but Quins finally work the ball forward with a direct response and Joe Marchant does well to offload to Nathan Earle.
Try for Quins.
FORDY KICKS THE EXTRAS
Two conversions for George Ford in the opening 10 minutes. 14-0 to Tigers.
GENGE TRY FOR TIGERS
Ellis Genge takes on the responsibility of the tap and go and delivers with the help of his teammeates. Tigers second try!
10
BRUTE FORCE!
George Martin finds Jasper Wiese off the line-out and Tigers so close to the opposition try-line. Quins do just enough, but concede the penalty again.
Genge with the tap and go, and he's over!
9
TIGERS PRESSURE
Dombrandt comes forward for Quins off the set-piece but Tommy Reffell is strong at his feet. Tigers penalty and Fordy finds touch.
Youngs in and collects off the maul, he finds his brother Ben before Freddie Steward and Nadolo offer support. But contact in the air brings things back for the earlier penalty.
7
KICKING EXCHANGE
A kicking bombardment since the restart with the backs collecting and clearing their lines.
Tigers with the line out as skipper Tom Youngs finds Green once again, Jasper Wiese charges forward, but the penalty goes Harlequins way.
FORD CONVERTS
George Ford adds the extras to get his first points of the day. Tigers lead 7-0.
TRY FOR TIGERS
Matt Scott scores the games first try as Tigers lead in the opening minutes. A lovely lay off from George Ford too.
3
TIGERS MAUL
The maul doing its work from the resulting set-piece and Tigers spread the play.
Ford finds Nadolo who attacks and the ball switches play once downed. It's Matt Scott who has ran the hard line and breaks the line!
3
QUINS ATTACK
Quins with the quick line-out and spread the play out wide, it moves across but Tyrone Green slips and Nadolo and Scott do enough to win the penalty.
2
REFFELL PRESSURE
Ford and Steward link up from the kick-off as Marcus Smith has to kick clear from behind his own line as Tommy Reffell pressures.
Tom Youngs with the line-out and Ben Youngs can't collect the knock down from Calum Green. Quins ball.
KICK-OFF | TIGERS V QUINS
Tigers to kick off as George Ford grabs the matchball with Harlequins the opposition in Round 19. Tigers playing from left to right from position here in the main stand.
C’mon TIGEERRSS!
SHARE SNAPS OF FINAL HOME GAME BEHIND CLOSED DOORS
0
THE OPPOSITION LINE-UP
15 Tyrone Green, 14 Nathan Earle, 13 Luke Northmore, 12 James Lang, 11 Joe Marchant, 10 Marcus Smith, 9 Danny Care; 1 Joe Marler, 2 Scott Baldwin, 3 Wilco Louw, 4 Matt Symons, 5 Stephan Lewies (c), 6 Tom Lawday, 7 Jack Kenningham, 8 Alex Dombrandt
Replacements: 16 Joe Gray, 17 Santiago Garcia Botta, 18 Will Collier, 19 Dino Lamb, 20 James Chisholm, 21 Martin Landajo, 22 Will Edwards, 23 Ben Tapuai
0
TIGERS XV
[Club appearances in brackets]
15 Freddie Steward [31]
14 Guy Porter [16]
13 Matt Scott [21]
12 Dan Kelly [16]
11 Nemani Nadolo [11]
10 George Ford [103]
9 Ben Youngs [259]
1 Ellis Genge [84]
2 Tom Youngs (c) [211]
3 Dan Cole [259]
4 Harry Wells [119]
5 Calum Green [58]
6 George Martin [13]
7 Tommy Reffell [43]
8 Jasper Wiese [15]
REPLACEMENTS:
16 Charlie Clare [30]
17 Luan de Bruin [16]
18 Joe Heyes [66]
19 Hanro Liebenberg [31]
20 Cyle Brink [15]
21 Richard Wigglesworth [12]
22 Zack Henry [22]
23 Kini Murimurivalu [18]
0
NADOLO READY FOR QUINS CHALLENGE
Read what the Fijian international has to say ahead of the challenge of Harlequins with our FULL match preview - CLICK HERE
0
MATCH PREVIEW
Leicester Tigers have lost only once at Mattioli Woods Welford Road since the end of January: 18-23 to Northampton in Round 17 of Gallagher Premiership Rugby.
Harlequins are unbeaten in their last four encounters with Leicester since the Tigers 35-24 victory at Welford Road in December 2018.
Overall the two clubs have met on 207 previous occasions with Leicester winning 115 to 82 by Quins and ten games drawn.
One hundred and two of those encounters have been at Welford Road, where Tigers record is won 63, drawn 5, lost 34.
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WELCOME TO TIGERS V QUINS | KO 3.30PM
It’s a 3.30pm kick off for Leicester Tigers showdown with Harlequins at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.
A blustery and windy day, the elements will no doubt play their part.
Keep up with all the action as it happens with Matchday Live on the official Leicester Tigers app.