SARACENS GO AHEAD: Saracens 27 - 12 Harlequins

Harlequins were comprehensively out-muscled and out-played by a determined Saracens side that fed on the frequent errors and turnovers of possession gifted, uncharacteristically, by an out of sorts Harlequin team crashing to a 27 – 12 defeat and down to third in the table.

Played in sleety conditions and a high chill factor wind, little pleasure would be had by the players and the bravery of the spectators in exposing themselves to the weather was manifest. Nevertheless the two teams set about each other with a will. Almost immediately a powerful thrust from the Saracens’ prop, Vunipola, took Saracens in attack mode into the Harlequins’ twenty-two and, when they were caught offside, Farrell opened the scoring with a simple penalty kick.

But soon after, a penalty on half way, improved ten metres by Saracens’ indiscipline, allowed Evans to level the scores and another penalty, as Harlequins attacked, put the visitors into the lead.  That position was short-lived as Easter was penalised for interfering with the opposing scrum-half at a ruck and Farrell levelled the scores again at 6 – 6 after sixteen minutes.

Then a thrust from a ball lost in contact allowed Ashton to break and although he was stopped the ball was moved infield. A fine try saving tackle by Mike Brown prevented the score but a penalty followed as did a yellow card for Marler.  Farrell kicked the easy points and took another three a couple of minutes later as Saracens attacked again.

The game was clearly running in favour of the home side and Harlequins were increasingly forced to defend, When Quins did mount an attack they were unable to force a break in the defensive line.  A concerted attack from Saracens took them cose and with continued pressure and a man short the inevitable try followed as Brits burrowed over.  Farrell missed with the conversion attempt but the score was now 17 – 6.

Evans reduced the deficit with another penalty and as the half drew to a close both he and Farrell saw kick fail to score, Saracens led 17 – 9  at the interval.

A penalty at the scrum after four minutes of the second half allowed Evans to narrow the gap in the scores, but that was to prove to be the full extent of Quins’ scoring..  Then came the Saracens’ score that proved to be decisive, taking the game out of Quins’ reach.  A fine break by Scotland captain Kelly Brown with Goode and Ashton in support took play to within five metres of the Harlequins’ line where the defence stopped it but the ball was recycled to Farrell.  The fly-half produced a pin-point accurate cross field kick where he found Will Fraser unmarked to catch and touchdown for a try that Farrell duly converted.

Harlequins continued to batter at the defensive wall but were unable to find a way through. Farrell failed with another penalty kick and as the game neared its last quarter Quins began to empty the replacements bench with eyes firmly fixed on the five day turn round before Kingsholm on Friday evening.  A further penalty extended the Saracens’ lead.

Then, with eight minutes remaining a high tackle on Fa’asavalu saw Ashton sent to the sin-bin and Quins began to batter at the Saracens defence on their five metre line.  Two or three times they looked to have broken through, only to be stopped. Despite their efforts the game ended without further score.

After the match, a deeply disappointed Conor O’Shea said: "We are very disappointed. No excuses in terms of the weather. We made too many errors and turned the ball over without really building any phases. Physically we were beaten, which is irritating beyond belief. We always pride ourselves on saying results don't matter but performances do - and we didn't perform today.

"We'll learn our lesson but the championship isn't decided today. We lost a battle not the war.They were worthy winners but we didn't perform anywhere close to what we know we are capable of. What we have to make sure is we play the way we can. We didn't today and you credit that to Saracens - they were excellent - but we will see them again.“