Capital punishment for Leeds

Leeds' nine-game winning streak came to a surprising halt at the Twickenham Stoop as they slipped to a 28-24 loss to Harlequins.

The current league leaders suffered just their third reverse of the campaign despite a desperate comeback in the closing stages.

Late tries from Rob Burrow and Scott Donald, his second of the match, threatened to deny Quins a hard-fought victory on home soil.

However, the difference between the two sides in the end came down to goalkicking, Henry Paul's perfect six-for-six record proving crucial.

The veteran forward was just one of several stars for the hosts; Will Sharp grabbed his first tries in Super League while prop Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook enjoyed an impressive return to action from a broken wrist.

Upset

From the moment winger Sharp darted over on the left for his first, cancelling out Jamie Peacock's early opener, an upset always appeared on the cards.

Scott Hill crossed from close range to give the hosts a 17th-minute lead they would hang on to until the final whistle, though they were helped out by the video referee ruling out a Burrow try.

A block by Kevin Sinfield had opened up the gap for Danny McGuire to set up his half-back partner, and instead of 12 apiece the resulting penalty for obstruction was kicked by Paul to make the score 14-6.

Donald's first of the contest did cut the gap down to just two points at the interval but it was Quins who struck first in the second half through Chad Randall.

Once again the Rhinos responded, Keith Senior shurgging off the attentions of two defenders to get the ball down on the left after McGuire had made a brilliant break on the opposite flank.

Touchline scuffle

The centre's joy at getting over the line proved shortlived, though, as he became involved in a disagreement with Randall that led to a confrontation involving plenty that showed the tension was getting to everyone.

Referee Ashley Klein decided to take strong action when the two sets of players were finally pulled apart, dishing out yellow cards to Senior and McCarthy-Scarsbrook for their part in the skirmish.

Eventually Paul slotted over his second penalty and when Sharp got on the end of a wonderfully-weighted grubber kick from the impressive Hill soon after, the game looked up for Leeds.

To their credit, the reiging champions refused to be beaten, Burrow and Donald both touching down to set up a thrilling climax to what was a cracking match.

But, with Sinfield failing with both conversion attempts, the Rhinos were unable to get back on level terms, meaning the gap between themselves and second-placed St Helens remains at four points ahead of their top-of-the-table clash next Friday, live on Sky Sports.

Harlequins' win does move them right into contention for a top six place and is the perfect way to round out a week that has seen them sign their head coach, Brian McDermott, to a new three-year deal.