Victory, coupled with a defeat for Northampton Saints at home to Saracens, secured top spot in the Guinness Premiership table for Tigers, the defending league champions.
Saracens are the next visitors to Welford Road, on May 8, and a home semi-final follows on Sunday, May 16, against Bath Rugby, London Wasps or London Irish who are still battling it out to finish in the top four.
“The Guinness Premiership is a hard tournament,” said Cockerill. “It is relentless through good weather, bad weather, international periods, injury and everything else.
“To be top of the table after 21 rounds is very pleasing for us. But it does not win you anything.
“We’ve got to make sure we keep our focus and make sure it is better next time.”
Toby Flood opened the scoring against Quins with an interception try after just three minutes, but the visitors fought back to lead 17-16 at half-time before Matt Smith, Ben Youngs and a penalty try sealed the win for Tigers.
“We started very well but then we were a bit sloppy at times and, if you’re not disciplined enough, you’re going to get punished,” said Cockerill. “We conceded three tries and that is pretty disappointing, but you have to give credit to Quins for coming with the attitude to play.
“We’ve got to be happy with the win and the bonus point because that keeps us where we want to be.
“But there was also enough poor play in there for us to have a kick up the backside. Maybe it is a reminder that we are not as good as we think we are sometimes. That is a danger when you are playing so well.”
Tickets for the Guinness Premiership semi-final at Welford Road on May 16 are on sale now.
Season ticket holders will have until Friday (April 30) to purchase their tickets before being released for general sale. Ticket prices for season ticket holders carry a significant discount, priced from £15 adults and £5 junior, and non-season ticket holder prices will also carry a discount on normal match prices.
Phone the ticket hotline on 0844 856 1880, book online or call in at the Tigers ticket office at Welford Road (8.30am-5pm Monday-Friday, open until 8pm on Wednesdays, and 9am-5pm Saturdays).
