Leicester Tigers further extended their unbeaten run since the departure of Dean Richards, with a 30-21 win over Harlequins at Welford Road on Friday.

In doing so they kept up their charge for a place in the wildcard play-offs, as they prepare to meet Quins for the second time in eight days at The Stoop next Saturday.

Fullback Andy Goode got the scoreboard ticking over as soon as the second minute as he slotted a penalty from in front of the posts.

The visitors were then reduced to 14 men after hooker Tani Fuga was sin-binned by referee Ashley Rowden following a scuffle in the Tigers 22.

It was only four minutes later when the hosts saw their numerical advantage pay off, when a three-on-two overlap in the back line saw Goode pass the ball back inside to fly half Jaco van der Westhuyzen - wrong-footing the scrambling defence in the process as the South African enjoyed an unopposed run-in to the line.

Goode added the conversion, while scrum half Harry Ellis continued to probe away round the fringes.

Tigers again reaped the rewards from some enterprising back play when Van der Westhuyzen's lateral run on the Harlequins 22 sucked the defenders in - his show of the ball committing the tacklers before he released to inside centre Daryl Gibson on a straightening angle, with the former All Black sprinting to the line for his second try of the season.

Goode made no mistake with the extras, while Harlequins - back to their full compliment of players - did manage to get on the score sheet courtesy of two penalties from Irish fly half Andy Dunne, who was in the side for late injury withdrawal Paul Burke.

That reined Leicester's lead in to 17-6 at the interval, although a break from Matt Moore was a warning signal that Harlequins were not lying down.

And it was not long before Irish fullback Gavin Duffy touched down for them after fielding a hurried Van der Westhuyzen clearance - the Tigers defence opening up in front of him to create a pathway from the 22 to the tryline. Dunne added the conversion.

Goode slotted his second penalty after Quins brought down a rolling maul, quickly followed by his third after an infringement at the scrum - while Dunne slotted a third of his own with 15 minutes remaining.

The visitors got right back into it when Tongan centre Josh Taumalolo crashed over in the right corner after an up-and-under from Leicester replacement Steve Booth was spilt as he tried to catch his own kick.

But straight from the kick-off Van der Westhuyzen grabbed his second try of the night after darting over from first receiver on a diagonal course for the posts - Goode converting before the final whistle sounded.