Harlequins 12 Leicester 19

Despite defeat in the Powergen Cup at the hands of Leicester, Quins chief Mark Evans insists his side still have plenty to play for in the season (writes DALE HARRY).

Quins' chances of grabbing silverware all but diminished against Leicester - a side they have beaten in their last two cup meetings - as they ran in two tries and converted three penalties. Quins' 12 points came from the boot of Paul Burke.

But Evans says optimistically: "We're seventh in the league which is five places better than this time last year. And there are Heineken places to play for or a wild card. There's plenty at stake.

"We've got the thorny question of our away form to address and with the way that the league is structured we've still got some big issues that could loom cup qualification and relegation they are all live issues."

The top four clubs that have not automatically qualified for the Heineken Cup, by winning the Parker Pen Challenge or Powergen cups or reaching the final or semi-finals in the Zurich Premiership, will be given a wild card entry but with six of Quins' last nine remaining matches away, they have a tough proposition ahead of them to qualify.

Burke gave Quins the lead with a penalty but Tigers hit back with a three-pointer of their own. Then England fullback, Tim Stimpson, powered over in the corner.

Burke's trusted boot reduced the gap, but a Quins side down to 14 men after Tiatia's yellow card, succumbed to a well worked team try finished off by Lewis Moody. Another penalty from Burke left Harlequins trailing 13 9 at half time.

Quins started the second half well although it was Leicester who put the first points on the board as Stimpson converted another penalty before Burke slotted home his fourth of the match.

Burke had an opportunity to put Quins within a point of Leicester but his long range penalty attempt drifted wide of the posts, and then Stimpson turned the screw with a well taken penalty to complete the scoring.

Quins scorers: pens - Burke 4.

Leonard, Fuga, Dawson, Davison (Evans, 60 mins), Codling, Tiatia, Vos, Diprose, Bemand, Burke, Gollings, Satala, Greenwood, Luger, Williams.

Quins will be without Ben Gollings, away on England Sevens duty, for the clash at bottom placed Newcastle on Saturday (2pm) in the Zurich Premiership.

January 31, 2003 12:30