Harlequins ended Saracens’ five-game profitable streak within the London derby, with their stout defence key to a 17-10 victory.
Sarries dominated possession and territory, particularly within the first half, however Quins held on and crucially went in entrance throughout their first enterprise contained in the opposition 22 due to Fin Baxter’s close-range attempt.
The guests, who got here into the sport with three straight victories, could have been delay their stride by Andy Christie being stretchered off early within the match, however acquired stage when Hugh Tizard dived over following a high-quality driving run from Tom Willis.
The parity lasted lower than three minutes till Marcus Smith arrange Will Porter to cross broad for Lennox Anyanwu to race over the road.
The win is Quins’ second of the season of their fourth match and lifts them to sixth place, whereas Saracens keep second.
Speaking Level – Quins present new metal
It was one of many nice rearguard efforts from Quins who produced 230 tackles within the match, at a 90% success mark. Extremely, Jack Kenningham (26) and Irne Herbst (24) mixed to achieve a half-century of tackles on the day, with six of the highest seven accumulators from the house facet.
Head coach Danny Wilson described the sport as having a Take a look at match really feel and Saracens have been actually made to work for each inch gained after they ventured contained in the 22. Famend for his or her flamboyant play, which noticed them thrillingly win in Bordeaux in final 12 months’s European Cup semi-final, Quins demonstrated a resilience which may solely bode effectively for the enterprise finish of this season.
Participant of the Match – Fin Baxter (Harlequins)
The entire pack deserve monumental credit score, however Baxter was the person who our pundits plumped for as the most effective man on the sphere. He racked up the third highest variety of Quins tackles with 16, but in addition impressed in assault, serving to to drive his facet ahead and reap the benefits of their forays contained in the opposition half.
“He seems to be like an entire participant,” Ugo Monye stated on TNT Sports activities.
Participant Rankings
Harlequins: Halfpenny 7, David 7, Beard 6, Anyanwu 7, Murley 7, Smith 8, Porter 7; Baxter 9*, Walker 7, Lamositele 7, Herbst 8, Lewies 7, Lamb-Cona 7, Kenningham 8, Chisholm 7. Replacements: Jibulu 7, Marler 6, Launchbury 6, Cunningham-South 6, Evans 6, Evans 6.
Saracens: Goode 7, Elliott 6, Lozowski 6, Tompkins 6, Daly 6, Burke 6, Van Zyl 6; Carre 6, George 6, Riccioni 6, Itoje 7, Isiekwe 7, Gonzalez 6, Christie 6, Earl 6. Replacements: Dan 6, Mawi 7, Clarey 6, Tizard 7, Willis 8, Simpson 6, Cinti 6.
Match Highlights
5′ TRY! Harlequins 5-0 Saracens (Baxter): Lastly there’s a breakthrough and it’s from Harlequins of their first go to contained in the 22. It’s Baxter who forces his manner over from a metre out.
49′ TRY! Harlequins 7-5 Saracens (Tizard): The harm was attributable to Willis’ carry to the brink after which Tizard cleverly goes over Chisholm’s arms and touches over the road.
53′ TRY! Harlequins 12-7 Saracens (Anyanwu): Smith with the essential line break after which Porter passes broad to Anyanwu who races over the road.
Key Stat
- 63 – The proportion of time the ball was in Harlequins’ half
