Leicester Tigers

Toby Flood ran in a 70m interception try in the first-half in a personal tally of 16 points on his return to Tigers colours. Winger Adam Thompstone went over for his eighth try of the season as Tigers held an 18-12 lead at the break.

But Danny Care's tap-and-go from halfway in the second half, added to 20 points from the boot of Ben Botica, saw Quins claim a first victory against Tigers in nine meetings between the sides at the Stoop.

Flood joined Manu Tuilagi and Thomas Waldrom in returning to the Tigers line-up after being released from Six Nations duty with England. There was a late change on the Leicester bench with Boris Stankovich (Achilles) replaced by Kieran Brookes.

Quins, who were captained from the second row by Nick Easter, also made a late change with Nick Evans ruled out with an ankle injury. Botica replaced him at fly-half with Ollie Lindsay-Hague coming on to the bench.

Quins were the first to threaten with Care sniping down the side of a ruck to set up the position in the Leicester 22. But the Tigers defence stood firm through a number of phases before Matt Hopper threw a pass in front of Ugo Monye and into touch.

Tigers weathered the early pressure and took a sixth minute lead through Flood's second try of the campaign. He picked off Easter's pass 30m from the Leicester line and then outsprinted Tom Williams to the line to score next to the posts. He converted his own try to give Leicester a 7-0 lead.

Quins were awarded a penalty at the first scrum and Botica knocked it over from the right to cut the Tigers lead to 7-3 after 13 minutes.

Tuilagi showed lovely hands to pick up Flood's pass off his feet before arcing a run across the Quins defence. He looked to have created an overlap on the left but it was well defended by Quins who managed to cut off the space for the pass.

Mathew Tait punched a hole in the centre of the Quins defence but as he presented the ball, it was disrupted by Quins who overturned possession and cleared long. Hamilton ran ball back and won the penalty for offside, which was knocked over from 40m by Flood to restore Tigers' seven-point lead.

Flood almost intercepted another pass deep inside the Tigers half but it bounced off his fingertips and was collected by Botica. At the next ruck, Tigers were pinged for not releasing and Botica landed the penalty to leave Tigers 10-6 ahead after 22 minutes. Louis Deacon was replaced by Ed Slater.

Quins disrupted a Tigers lineout and Care pounced on the loose ball. His kick ahead was fielded by Flood behind the try-line where he cleared to touch under pressure. Quins set up the drive at the lineout and won the penalty which Botica landed to leave Tigers one point ahead.

Quins were pinged for holding on and Flood landed an excellent penalty from close to halfway before Botica replied with his fourth penalty after a Tigers infringement at a ruck to cut the lead to 13-12.
Tigers rallied and took play up to the other end where Hawkins' run gave Tigers a platform in the right of the Quins 22. Tuilagi's burst sucked defenders in before Flood slid a kick behind the Harlequins defence for Thompstone to score at the left corner. Referee Wayne Barnes went to his television match official to rule on the try before it was finally awarded. It was Thompstone's eighth try of the season and gave Tigers an 18-12 lead at the break.

There were no changes to either side at half-time.

Tigers threatened a try early in the second period when Botica sliced his clearancek to the edge of the Quins 22. Marcos Ayerza gathered possession and offloaded for Harrison to make ground but he was pinged for holding on.

Tigers enjoyed plenty of territory and possession during the opening moments of the half but quick-thinking by Care brought Quins their first try. His tap penalty 5m inside the Quins half caught Tigers on the hop and took him past the defenders into Leicester territory where he forced his way past last-man Tait and over for the try. Botica's conversion gave Quins the lead for the first time in the game at 19-18.

It was a thunderous contest with barely a let-up in pace and both teams looking to attack where possible.

Tigers reshuffled their midfield with 22 minutes remaining when Allen was replaced by Matt Smith. But they were penalised for not rolling away at the next attack and Botica maintained his 100 per cent record with the penalty to put the hosts 22-18 ahead.

Quins celebrated a second try with 13 minutes remaining when Monye collected Botica's pass and went in at the corner. However, it was ruled out for obstruction by Matt Hopper two phases earlier and Flood's penalty took Leicester back into the Quins half.

Tigers made the territory count when Thompstone tackled Lindsay-Hague and with help from Tuilagi forced the replacement to hold on to possession. Flood made no mistake with the penalty to cut Harlquins' lead to 22-21 with 10 minutes left.

Tigers had plenty of momentum going into the closing stages and thought they had a penalty in front of the posts when Care tried to disrupt a scrum at the base but referee Barnes allowed play to continue. Flood aimed a grubber towards the right-hand corner, intended for Hamilton, but the ball beat the winger and Lindsay-Hague into touch.

Tigers were penalised at the lineout to ease the pressure. And with time almost up, they infringed at a scrum 40m out and Botica knocked over his sixth penalty of the contest to seal victory for the hosts.