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Toomua inspires Tigers win over Quins, Worcester beat Gloucester
Stand-in fly-half Matt Toomua produced a masterful performance as Leicester Tigers boosted their top-four bid with a 33-18 win over Harlequins, while Worcester Warriors struck a blow to Gloucester’s semi-final hopes.
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The versatile Toomua was outstanding in his first Tigers start at number 10, pulling the strings and scoring 23 points to leave his side five points behind fourth-placed Gloucester.
Matt O’Connor’s side and Quins both really needed a win at Welford Road and it was Leicester who raised their game in the second half to get back on track, having only won once in the league since November prior to this victory.
Alofa Alofa raced away for an early try to put Quins in front, but three Toomua penalties and one from Marcus Smith made it 9-8 to the Tigers at the interval.
Luke Wallace edged the London side back into the lead with Smith in the sin bin, but the magnificent Toomua spotted a gap and darted away for a five-pointer before setting another up for Graham Kitchener with a superb kick.
Charlie Matthews’ score 11 minutes from time gave Quins hope, but Toomua nailed a fourth penalty and also converted a last-gasp Adam Thomstone try as the Tigers claimed a much-needed win.
FT: @LeicesterTigers 33-18 @Harlequins
23 points for Matt Toomua, Adam Thompstone with the last-minute try to add some gloss to the scoreline for Tigers at Welford Road. #LEIvHAR #AvivaPrem pic.twitter.com/AKWGEA2VvR
— Premiership Rugby (@premrugby) February 17, 2018
Worcester, meanwhile, followed up their win over champions Exeter Chiefs with a 25-15 success against Gloucester at Sixways.
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Elsewhere, Northampton Saints pushed London Irish closer to relegation with a 25-17 home comeback win.
George North, Rob Horne and Mike Haywood crossed in the space of seven minutes after Alex Lewington’s double had given the Exiles a 14-0 lead they could not keep.
