A quick look beforehand at the Quins fans website revealed the critical issues - ONE of their props might be bound for Leinster next season and should their season tickets be leather bound or, heaven forbid, bits of plastic.  It’s a different world!  Anyway, at this multi-coloured / green and pleasant land, I sneaked past the footmen into the member’s bar.   The talk was no longer of blue collars and their unworthy grounds on industrial estates.  This year the debate had moved on (?) to the merits of proper Rugger Clubs versus Professional Sports Clubs.  

Enough said - I just accepted their hospitality and respectfully tugged my forelock!  (However, if Edward G is reading, wherever SAracens make their home next, we certainly need more convivial surroundings to share a friendly jar with other supporters.) Out on the sun blessed pitch, the away team had ‘brushed up’ well and looked resplendent in their change kit - ‘away les rouges.  Injury enforced changes meant that Nick, Census and Andy from the previous week’s team were replaced by Matias, Tom M and Dave. 

Steve and Fabio were still excused duties by their international masters, as was Nick Easter for Quins.  Tom R and Don took fresh places on the bench whilst Ches vanished.  As everybody seems to revel in such figures these days, I calculated our match day squad to be 68% English qualified.Mark Evans and Dean Richards pontificated in their match programme on the flawed rationale behind the SAfacens saga and the price to be put on loyalty.  Meanwhile Eddie had been quoted as being really confident of doing a job at Quins.  Was this to be taken as an employment application or a joyful afternoon for us? 

Andrew Small won the raffle to referee: Noah scores try disallowed for forward pass - the first of many interventions by Mr Small (Note to any Quins fans – not all decisions went against you!)

Collapsed scrum - penalty by Nick Evans (3 - 0)

Further scrum offences by Sarries, defences on top, Justin slow about the pitchGlenda kicks penalty for offside (3 - 3)

Try by Wikus converted by Glenda (3 - 10). 

The first of the to be expected shouts of ‘go back to South Africa’ from the more vocal of the Quins support startAnother penalty by Evans (6 - 10)Ceri Jones try converted by Evans (13 - 10)

Rodd replaced Noah.

Our very own ‘Flapper and Ferret’ participated in the modest half time entertainment.

Cobus and Kyri replaced Tom and Matt. More scrums collapsed.  A poorly disciplined debate with Mr Small leads to another Evans penalty (16 - 10)

Tom R replaces Huge. Mr Small attracted the increasing wrath of the Quins support. Del raced in for an unconverted try - the best of the match (16 - 15)

Don replaced Ben. Care slipped in for an unconverted try (21 - 15)

More replacements - Brad for Adam, Micky for Justin and Tom M back for Matias.

Still Sarries had opportunities - two penalties transported them into the Quins half but on each occasion the chance is shunned with a crooked throw.Full time: 21 - 15

Danny (who Cares?) wins Quins man of match - most probably for the degree of difficulty on his dive as he put the ball down for the winning try. My man of match goes to Alex Goode for another enterprising performance - secure under the high ball, spectacular running and some committed tackling. 

Our lads on the pitch certainly put in another very gritty but error ridden performance.  This time, the team often lacked the control and intensity required - particularly in the loose and at restarts with too many penalties given away plus missed and dropped passes. 

Overall, the result was fair and, by the end, the point indeed seemed a bonus.Some final thoughts:Deano - they’ve made a real dog’s dinner of recent events.Eddie - we must be the best losing team in the Premiership with seven such bonus points.Me - sadly, it’s now all down to the Easter day fixture against a seemingly revitalised Budgies and it’s probably more of the Euro Challenge Cup again next season.   

The future’s certainly not all black!

Teams:Saracens:  Goode, Haughton, Ratuvou, Powell, Cato, Jackson, Marshall, Aguero, Cairns, Mercey, Jack, Vyvyan, Van Heerden, Seymour, Skirving.  Reps: Kyriacou, Mitchell, Ryder, Barrell, Wilson, Penney

Harlequins:  Brown, Strettle, Tiesi, Turner-Hall, Monye, N Evans, Care, Jones, Botha, Ross, Kohn, Robson, Robshaw, Skinner, Guest.  Reps: Fuga, Lambert, J Evans, McMillan, Gomarsall, Malone, Williams

Attendance:  12,638

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