Davies vows to keep up the fight

Leeds boss Phil Davies has refused to throw in the relegation towel despite the Tykes’ damaging 40-16 Zurich Premiership defeat at Harlequins last night.

Leeds are now four points adrift at the Premiership basement and must win at least one of their two remaining League fixtures - at Sale next Wednesday or against Gloucester tomorrow week - to have any chance of survival.

Davies saw his side blown away during the second and third quarters of a tension-filled occasion when Quins rattled up 27 unanswered points after trailing 9-6.

And Leeds’ defeat now effectively makes the relegation contest a two-horse race between themselves and fallen giants Bath.

Quins, in contrast, secured the maximum five points to jump two places from 11th to ninth ahead of their final fixture against Sale.

Quins posted five tries - two from their inspirational skipper Keith Wood and another by his fellow Lion Will Greenwood - leaving Leeds to pick themselves up for their final two remaining challenges.

With English rugby chiefs yet to confirm Rotherham’s promotion as champions of National League One, Leeds could yet survive the drop.

But last night’s emphatic setback has left them hovering ominously above the trapdoor.

‘‘There are 10 points still to play for and we have got to come back fighting,’’ Davies said.

‘‘When we play football, we are a good side, but we need to do it from the start of games.

‘‘We didn’t combat Harlequins’ kicking game and the try that Will Greenwood scored on half-time was the killer.’’

Leeds lost their try-scorer Scott Benton with a calf injury, and were he to miss the Sale trip, then his absence would be a huge blow.

Quins finally clicked to delight a vociferous crowd of more than 7,000 at The Stoop, with Nick Greenstock and Matt Moore also crossing the whitewash while fly-half Paul Burke kicked 15 points from two penalties, three conversions and a drop goal.

‘‘I am pleased with the performance, but I am irritated to be in this position, and that is putting it mildly,’’ said Quins coach Mark Evans.

‘‘We are now seven points clear of Leeds, three above Bath and two clear of Saracens, so this has obviously improved our situation, but it hasn’t remedied it.

‘‘I’ve said all season that we are not a bad team, but the Premiership is just a very competitive competition.’’