Harlequins grasped their Zurich Premiership lifeline - and left
relegation rivals Leeds hovering ominously over the trap door.
Lions Keith Wood and Will Greenwood led Quins' victory charge, scoring three
tries between them as they made decisive contributions on a predictably
tension-packed occasion.
Backed by a vociferous 7,200 crowd at The Stoop, Quins collected a maximum
five-point haul to overtake Bath and Saracens and move into the relative comfort
zone of ninth place with just one game remaining.
Leeds though, are facing a quickfire return to National League One.
The Tykes led 9-6 midway through the first half, but then conceded 27
unanswered points as Quins blitzed their try-line.
Leeds are now four points adrift of 11th-placed Bath, and must win at least
one of their last two matches - away to Sale next Wednesday, or when Gloucester
visit Headingley on Sunday week to have any survival chance.
Even at this late stage of the season though, there is still no decision from
English rugby chiefs on whether Second Division champions Rotherham will be
promoted, so Leeds could theoretically retain Premiership status if, as looks
likely, they finish bottom.
Quins were fired up for their task in what was one of the biggest games in
their history.
They needed commanding performances from their big names such as Wood,
Greenwood and goal-kicker Paul Burke, and that key trio didn't disappoint.
Burke and his opposite number, South African Braam van Straaten, shared four
early penalties before van Straaten nudged Leeds in front with a snap drop-goal
on 24 minutes.
But just when it looked as though Leeds could make things decidedly dodgy for
the home side, Quins suddenly found overdrive.
Greenwood produced a brilliant crosskick that wing Matt Moore caught and then
sprinted around Leeds' flailing defence for a stunning try, and after scrum-half
Matt Powell was agonisingly denied a touchdown three minutes before the break,
Quins posted ten points to knock the stuffing out of Leeds.
Burke dropped the goal and then converted a Greenwood try in first-half injury
time, and at 21-9 adrift, Leeds could see the writing on the wall.
Within six minutes of the restart, the Tykes had flanker Dan Hyde sin-binned
for use of the boot, and Quins immediately made their numerical advantage count
when Wood crashed through two attempted tackles for his first try.
Leeds scrum-half Scott Benton gave the visitors a glimmer of hope by diving
over for a close-range touchdown, van Straaten converting, yet the closing
stages belonged to Quins.
Greenstock's effort secured the bonus point, and Wood deservedly had the final
say, sparking joyous celebrations among the Quins fans.
Leeds must now hope that the form book holds true and Gloucester beat Bath
on Saturday, keeping alive Tykes' hopes of avoiding the drop.
Teams
Harlequins: Gollings, Jewell, Greenwood, Greenstock, Moore,
Burke, Burke, J. Powell, Leonard, Wood, Olver, Morgan, Codling,
White-Cooper, Tiatia, Diprose, Sheriff, Winters, D. Slemen.
Replacements: D. Slemen for Burke (62),
D. Slemen for Burke (77), Starr for Leonard (76),
Fuga for Wood (80), Winters for Morgan (67),
Sheriff for White-Cooper (49), Winters for Sheriff (51),
White-Cooper for Winters (53), Burke for D. Slemen (66).
Not Used: Duncombe, Bell.
Tries: Moore, Greenwood, Wood 2, Greenstock.
Cons: Burke 3.
Pens: Burke 2. Drop Goals: Burke.
Leeds: Benson, Scarborough, Davies, Mulder, Woof, van Straaten,
Benton, Shelley, Holt, Kerr, C. Murphy, P. Murphy, Mather,
Hyde, Fea'unati.
Replacements: Bachop for Davies (56), Hall for Woof (46),
O'Reilly for Benton (75), Wring for Kerr (45).
Not Used: Luffman, Hogg, Ponton.
Sin Bin: Hyde (47).
Tries: Benton.
Cons: van Straaten.
Pens: van Straaten 2.
Drop Goals: van Straaten.
Att: 7,255
Ref: Chris White (RFU).
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