Leeds (0) 4 Tries: Burrow Harlequins (10) 21 Tries: Howell 2, Randall Goals: Purdham 4 Drop-goal: Purdham
 Rob Purdham added nine points with the boot |
Two tries from Harlequins' David Howell consigned champions Leeds to their fourth Super League defeat in five matches at Headingley. The centre put the visitors ahead on 10 minutes before Chad Randall added a second under the posts, converted by Rob Purdham for a 10-0 half-time lead. A penalty and a drop-goal from captain Purdham extended the gap. And Quins secured their sixth win of the season when Howell touched down his second before a late Rob Burrow try. It was yet another indifferent display from the champions, who were booed off at half-time by their disbelieving fans. Half-backs Danny McGuire, making his 200th appearance for Leeds, and Burrow lacked their usual enterprise or verve as the Rhinos struggled to put together any meaningful attacking moves.  | 606: DEBATE |
Their best first-half scoring opportunity was spurned by Kevin Sinfield, whose wayward offload metres from the Quins tryline was knocked on by McGuire on 34 minutes. The second half began in similar fashion to the first, with Leeds bereft of inspiration and ideas. Leeds wing Scott Donald raced clear from inside his own half on 70 minutes to touch down, only for referee Steve Ganson to disallow the score for an offside infringement. Quins compounded Leeds' problems as Purdham extended the lead from the resulting penalty, as well as a drop-goal. Howell sealed the win with a delightful score on the left wing after a fine flowing move, with Purdham adding the extras. Although Burrow added a consolation score, Sinfield failed to add the conversion, summing up Leeds' dreadful night.
Leeds coach Brian McClennan: "We thought we had made some improvements last week but tonight we took one step ahead and two back. "At the moment we are not generating enough speed for our quick players to get on the back of. We expected more but give credit to Harlequins. "As the season goes on, whoever wins the competition will have the healthiest team and the most in-form team." Harlequins coach Brian McDermott: "Leeds are a great team and they certainly don't let you win easily but we had 17 blokes out there who went out there and did exactly what we asked them to do. "That performance will say that we are capable of doing anything. I still think we can win the grand final as much as anybody."
Leeds: Webb, Donald, Watkins, Senior, Hall, McGuire, Burrow, Leuluai, Diskin, Peacock, Jones-Buchanan, Kirke, Sinfield. Replacements: Bailey, Lauitiiti, Ablett, Buderus. Harlequins RL: Melling, Gardner, Gafa, Howell, Sharp, Purdham, Dorn, Temata, Randall, Ward, Williamson, Robinson, Golden. Replacements: McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Clubb, Kaye, Haggerty. Referee : S Ganson (St Helens)
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