McGuire and Webb star in Rhinos win

12 April 2012

Danny McGuire and Brent Webb claimed two tries apiece as Leeds Rhinos condemned Harlequins coach Brian McDermott to a 28-16 defeat upon his return to Headingley Carnegie.

Great Britain stand-off McGuire crossed the line twice in the first half to sandwich a score from New Zealand Test full-back Webb and help Leeds establish a 20-4 interval advantage.

Webb emulated his team-mate three minutes after the restart when he completed his brace but Rhinos could never rest easy against a spirited Quins side who dominated for long periods in the second half.

The Londoners were ultimately left to pay for a dismal opening period which saw Leeds power 12-0 ahead with little more than 10 minutes played thanks to tries from Webb and McGuire.

McDermott, the former Bradford prop who quit his post as assistant to Rhinos coach Tony Smith midway through last season, must have feared the worst at that point.

But credit to Harlequins - and Melling in particular - for the response which came Leeds' way. The former England Academy player produced a stream of crucial tackles and, after a spell of sustained pressure midway through the first half, he was on hand to collect Chad Randall's pass and crash over the line.

Henry Paul failed to add the extras and in the 32nd minute Burrow's meticulous dummy running gave Leeds the field position which allowed McGuire to dart through a gap in Quins' rearguard for his fourth try of the season.

Leeds' half-time advantage was a commanding one at 20-4 and it took them just three minutes to extend that lead when Ashley Gibson's crafty kick was pounced upon by Webb. Sinfield claimed his fifth goal from as many attempts but once again Quins came back strongly.

Again that was no small part down to Melling, who was stopped short of the line in the 51st minute, but from that set of six Mark McLinden produced an exquisite long pass to Matt Gafa in the right corner.

He touched down and Paul added the two points to reduce the deficit to 16 points and encourage hopes of an improbable comeback. It never came as Sinfield added another penalty in the 72nd minute to put Leeds home and dry to ensure Paul Sykes' late try - converted by Rob Purdham - was no more than consolation.

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