Danny Ward of Harlequins RL forces through Leeds' defence

Harlequins beat Super League leaders Leeds at The Stoop thanks to two tries either side of half-time from Will Sharp and seven goals from Henry Paul.

They were the first tries of the season for the Quins' winger.

Leeds' Scott Donald took his try tally to 21 for the season to reduce the gap to four points late in the game.

But Brian McDermott's men avenged their Challenge Cup defeat to the World Club champions by consigning Leeds to only their third defeat of the season.

Interview: BrianMcDermott on Harlequins' win

It took just three minutes to open Leeds' account when Great Britain captain Jamie Peacock burst through to score.

Kevin Sinfield added the extras for the Rhinos but Quins were soon on level terms as Sharp evaded Leeds full-back Brent Webb to cross the try line.

Scott Hill's close-range try after a quarter of an hour put McDermott's men in control.

Leeds thought they had reduced the deficit when Danny McGuire offloaded the ball for Rob Burrow to score under the posts.

But the visitors were denied the points when Sinfield was penalised for obstruction.

And to rub salt into the wounds, Paul's 40m field goal from the resulting penalty increased Harlequins' lead to eight points.

Quins' lead was cut down to 14-12 on the stroke of half-time when Burrow's searching pass found Donald who crossed for his first try of the game.

After the break, Chad Randall's converted try stretched Quins' lead back to eight points but Leeds refused to be denied and Keith Senior ensured Leeds remained within a score.

But after Senior and Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook - on his return from an arm injury - had been sin-binned for fighting, Sharp made it 28-16 with a try in the corner.

Burrow finally got his name on the scoresheet just a minute later while Donald reduced the arrears, but skipper Sinfield failed to score either conversion and cost the league leaders a point.

Harlequins coach Brian McDermott:

"We had to win a couple of big games back in 2006 to stop ourselves getting relegated, but this win is up there with those.

"It was a very similar game to the Challenge Cup but we defended better.

"The players are moving to a new level which is why I have signed a new deal.

"The potential here is massive."

Leeds Rhinos coach Brian McClennan :

"I think a bit of adversity will do us good.

"It feels like we are the hunted rather than the hunters at the moment and that has got to change.

"The scoreboard often reflects how games have gone and today it did the same. The best team won."

Harlequins RL: Melling, Bryan, Clubb, Howell, Sharp, Hill, Orr, Temata, Randall, Ward, Worrincy, Paul, Mbu.
Replacements: McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Rinaldi, Haggerty, Janowski.

Leeds: Webb, Smith, Ablett, Senior, Donald, McGuire, Burrow, Leuluai, Diskin, Bailey, Ellis, Peacock, Sinfield.
Replacements: Tansey, Scruton, Jones-Buchanan.

Referee: A Klein (London).