Leicester Tigers

Tigers Academy graduates Andy Forsyth and Alex Lewington scored their first tries in Tigers colours before Ben Pienaar secured the victory with a third try 10 minutes before time.

George Ford, another graduate of the Tigers Academy, kicked the rest of the points with two conversions.

The result means Tigers move top of their LV= Cup pool ahead of London Irish, who went down 27-19 to Scarlets in their third game in this season's LV= Cup.

Tigers have one pool game remaining, against Newcastle Falcons at Welford Road next Saturday (February 4).

Tigers made a late change to their matchday 23 after George Chuter was ruled out with a knock and Harry Thacker replaced him on the bench. Logoviii Mulipola, who made his debut as a replacement in the Aviva Premiership game against London Wasps, made his first senior start for Tigers, and there were also first starts for hooker Jimmy Stevens and centre Dante Mama. The team was captained for the first time in a competitive fixture by Ben Woods.

Quins were captained by Tigers Academy product Will Skinner, who was joined in the back row by Luke Wallace and Tom Guest. Further first-team experience was provided by the likes of Tom Williams, Seb Stegmann and Rory Clegg.

Tigers took an early lead with a brilliant counterattacking try. It began with George Ford cleverly keeping Clegg's kick to the corner in play. Morris made ground down right flank before the attack was moved inside where Forsyth arced his run through the Quins defence and under the posts from 40 metres for his first Tigers try. Ford added the extras.

Harlequins replied with their first points of the game from their first real attack. Quick hands from Williams, Skinner and Tim Fairbrother took them up to the Tigers 22 where Leicester were ruled offside and Clegg booted a simple penalty.

It was a bright opening with both teams looking to run the ball wherever possible. A smart run by Alex Lewington almost brought with it a second Tigers try, but the wing was tackled by full-back Ross Chisholm just as he looked set to score.

Tigers kept possession and Ford's show and go was well read by the Quins defence before Woods knocked-on in the tackle eight metres out.

Tigers enjoyed large periods of possession and territory, but were unable to capitalise on half breaks by Mama and Lewington. Pienaar did break through on halfway and made it up to the hosts' 22, but a handling error a couple of phases later meant the position came to nothing.

Quins finished the half strongly and the home fans were demanding a penalty in front of the posts when Clegg kicked through but was prevented from going after the ball by Stankovich, who had already committed to the tackle. Referee Leighton Hodges ruled there was no offence and Hamilton dotted down in-goal. Quins broke down the left from the restart but Stegmann knocked-on in the tackle 10 metres out for the final action of the half.

There were no changes to either side at the break.

Harlequins went close to a try early in the second period when drives by Rob Buchanan and Pete Browne forced the hosts deep into Tigers territory. Second-rower Browne was unable to add the finish before Woods came through the ruck to steal possession for Tigers on his own line.

Quins cut Tigers' lead to a point on 50 minutes through Clegg's second penalty of the game before Ford pulled a penalty wide of the posts for Tigers.

But Tigers scored their second try almost immediately from the restart. Hamilton, and Ford took advantage of Sam Stuart's knock-on to counterattack from the Tigers 10 metre line. Forsyth kicked ahead on the left for Lewington, who hacked on and then won the race to the ball to touch down on the left for his first Tigers try.

Quins earned a penalty bang in front from the restart, which Clegg knocked over to cut Tigers' lead to 12-9 midway through the second half.

Another flowing move brought Tigers their third try with 12 minutes left. The attack started with replacement James Doyle stealing possession at the back of a Quins lineout. Matt Smith took the ball on before quick possession allowed James Grindal to shift the attack to the left where Lewington fed Pienaar to crash over in the corner. Ford's touchline conversion gave Tigers a 19-9 lead.

Quins threatened one final time when Will Collier broke through but he was hauled down by Stevens and Morris. Lambert continued the attack and was stopped on the line before Tom Casson knocked-on in midfield with the Tigers defence scattered.

Play was brought back for an earlier infringement, which earned Ford a yellow card. Quins opted for the kick at goal which would have brought them a losing bonus point, but Clegg was wide with his penalty with the last kick of the game.