Ford kicks Leicester to victory over champions Quins

George Ford kicked 11 points as Leicester beat reigning Premiership champions Harlequins 16-14 in a titanic battle on Sunday to maintain their perfect start to the league season.

Ford kicked three penalties and converted Harry Potter’s try as Tigers took their winning run to nine Premiership matches, their best league run since 10 was achieved between November 2001 and March 2002.

Louis Lynagh scored Harlequins’ try with Marcus Smith kicking three penalties, but Smith crucially missed his conversion attempt as he and Danny Care were outpointed in the key half-back duel with the experienced Ford and Ben Youngs.

The visitors blew golden chances to put points on the scoreboard especially when, just before half-time, centre Huw Jones elected to go it alone and was smothered by the cover defence when there was a clear overlap outside him.

“I am delighted that the boys found a way to win against the champions, who are a terrific side,” said Leicester’s head coach Steve Borthwick.

“The players have worked incredibly hard to lift the club to where it wants to be and the side is making real progress,” he added.

Ford produced a man-of-the-match performance in his final season at the club before he departs for Sale.

Borthwick said: “We would have loved George to stay as he is real class. He was very upfront with me and I respect his decision to move to pastures new.

“Today he adapted his game without any input from me and that’s a measure of how good he is to play to any situation.”