Harlequins 19 Leicester Tigers 20
Jarrod Evans missed a last-gasp conversion to breathe life into Leicester Tigers’ domestic season as Ollie Hassell-Collins reminded him of his class and the visitors nearly defied a brace-winning run.
In the stadium that houses a bar that bears his name, Mike Brown haunted his former club with a determined attempt. The 38-year-old had received a diving load from Hassell-Collins, who showed off the form that earned him two England caps a year ago.
Dan Richardson also deserves a mention in the headlines because the Tigers found themselves in a difficult situation with their tight-knit backing. Their first choice couple, Dan Cole and Joe Heyes, are based in Girona, England. Will Hurd would have been available despite being called up by Gregor Townsend but withdrew from the Scotland squad due to a foot injury.
In the absence of the trio, Richardson remained on the pitch for the full 80 minutes as part of a hard-working and determined performance from the Leicester forwards. The departing Jasper Wiese was tremendous.
However, this was almost ruined by Tyrone Green’s goal in the 79th minute. However, Evans turned the shot wide. The Premiership table is tight again and the Tigers, who have climbed to fifth, remain in contention for a place in the top four. Harlequins currently sit in second place without their influential centerpiece of Alex Dombrandt, Danny Care and Marcus Smith, as well as Joe Marler, Oscar Beard and Chandler Cunningham-South.
Leicester head coach Dan McKellar candidly admitted losing would be “devastating”. At the end of what he described as “excruciating” matches since the start of the season last autumn, La Rochelle and Leinster’s latest opponents, the Tigers, arrived with the aim of “boring them to death”.
On a cold, clear night under a full moon, approaching an eight-week break from league play, the first 10 minutes were utterly forgettable. Harlequins fell behind after Handre Pollard scored three points from just over 40 yards.
Leicester’s kicking game controlled proceedings as Will Collier took advantage of James Cronin’s set-piece attacks. Hassell-Collins glided through midfield from the left flank after a powerful strike. Harlequins crept offside, Tigers went for a corner and Wiese squirmed, chasing a shell in front. Pollard’s touchline conversion was magnificent.
Leicester, blindsided for a few weeks, were finding space on the flanks beyond the Harlequins attack; Jamie Shillcock made a good transfer to Hassell-Collins.
Finally, three minutes before the break, Harlequins, who had completely pressed the half, got a shot over. The on-rushing Green sliced Leicester and Nick David was fed a simple pass.
The Tigers recovered and had the first chance of the second period, Brown lofting a pass to Hassell-Collins from the opposing 22. The Harlequins were trying desperately, with Andre Esterhuizen making a fumble to win the turnover.
Esterhuizen immediately put the hosts ahead with a superb solo try, lofting some 50 meters from the scrum. However, replays showed he had crossed the offside line before receiving the pass.
Leicester were weakening and surrendered their lead thanks to a heavy blow from Harlequins. Jack Walker was on the tail and his attempt was converted by Evans. Tigers would react quickly.
Pollard’s cut-out pass passed over Brown to Dan Kelly, who released Hassell-Collins. Two defenders crossed but Hassell-Collins lunged at Brown, who was able to undermine the posts and celebrate enthusiastically.
Harlequins finished stronger and put Leicester away from the final kick of the game. Will Edwards put Green clear, but Evans’ shot went wide right and the Tigers forced a turnover on the ensuing restart.
Scoring order
Rating: 0-3 Pollard penalty, 0-8 Wiese try, 0-10 Pollard conversion, 5-10 David try, 7-10 Evans try, 12-10 Walker try, 14-10 Evans conversion, 14-15 Brown try, 14- 17 Pollard conversion, 14-20 Pollard penalty, 19-20 Green try
Harlequins: T Green; N David, W Joseph (W Edwards, 71), A Esterhuizen, L Lynagh (C Murley, 51); J Evans, M Green (L Gjaltema, 78); F Baxter, J Walker (S Riley, 71), W Collier (D Lewis, 65), J Launchbury, I Herbst (A Clark, 60), G Hammond, W Evans, J Chisholm.
Unused backups: S Garcia Botta, A White.
Leicester Tigers: J Shillcock; M Brown, D Kelly, S Kata (M Scott, 65), O Hassell-Collins; H Pollard, T Whiteley (B Youngs, 56); J Cronin (J Whitcombe, 53), J Montoya (F Theobold-Thomas, 78), D Richardson, H Wells (Carter, 76), K Hatherell (F Carnduff, 65), H Liebenberg, O Cracknell (M Rogerson, 53 ) ), J Wiese.
No backup used: T Hoyt.
Judge: Mr T Foley (RFU).