It is tempting to focus on the intervention of the match officials but the real cause of Quins’ demise was the number of penalties they conceded and their inability to convert their opportunities into tries. Unfortunately this seems to be the story of our season so far.

On arrival at the Press Room the assembled journalists were all talking about Tom Williams, who was named in the Quins starting fifteen. It was rather surprising but very welcome to hear that their general consensus was very supportive of him and that certain others within their trade should let him be. Let’s hope so.

Quins started brightly enough but then Saints scored with their first meaningful attack. They broke down the left with Jon Clarke neatly chipping the onrushing Quins defence. Strettle raced back and looked to have it covered but the ball bounced awkwardly and Reihana was in support for a simple pick up to score. Myler missed the conversion and we have only played 3 minutes. The next 15 minutes see Quins pressing hard and they were camped on the Saints line before Percival goes over but is judged to be held up by the ref who was unsighted and so refuses the first of Quins’ opportunities. Shortly after Quins are penalised again and Myler bangs over a kick from just inside his own half: 0-8.

There is time for a quick tussle between George Robson and Neil Best, before Williams puts in a huge dump tackle on Chris Ashton. It’s on the far side of the pitch but it looked like there were some swinging arms and then Williams is down on one knee holding his face and the Saints crowd start booing when the physio runs on. Meanwhile the ref brings the play back for another simple penalty to Saints and it is 0-11.

Guest is then high-tackled by Neil Best with a very audible slap that is heard around the ground. I fear the worst as Guest is laid flat out but he eventually gets up looking a bit groggy. Nev slots the resulting penalty and Best takes an appropriate 10 minute break from the action.

Quins gather momentum and attack down the left. There is good work by Nils Mordt who breaks through but the final pass to Williams is poor. Quins again break down the left and Strettle puts Williams in at the corner only for the ref to call Quins back for a forward pass. Quins keep up the pressure with the award of another penalty following another tussle but then Percival is singled out and a kickable penalty is reversed. Half-time and Quins are trailing 3-11.

The second half starts with another penalty for Saints to make it 3-14. Quins begin to press and it looks like we go over only for the ref again to judge it not grounded. Saints hold out from the scrum and Best returns followed soon after by the first of their substitutes in Courtney Lawes. Tom receives treatment again and Quins continue to press but they just can’t seem break down the Saints defence. Quins bring on Brooker, York and So’oialo who is immediately under pressure at the first scrum. Tom then goes off to be replaced by Drauinui. Saints again break through and Kruger scores. The conversion is missed making it 3-19.

The next quarter saw a succession of penalties to both teams and Quins finally put together an attack and Drauinui scores in the corner. Nev kicks the conversion making it 10-19. Quins were already running out of time when with about 6 minutes left Saints break through again and Tongauiha crashes over with Myler nailing the conversion for 10-26.

The final act of the game is an interception try by Drauinui which Nev converts and the score finishes at a little more respectable 17-26; but the reality is that we were well beaten.

All in all not the result I wanted for my first match report. The Saints deserved their win albeit maybe with a little help from their ’friends’. Their back three worked well together and they took their chances. Ben Foden was a constant threat and Clarke and Reihana particularly, combined well but then again they are both highly experienced. Few teams will go to Franklin Gardens this season and come away with a win.

The post match press conference revealed that Tom is likely to have broken his nose. On the plus side we never gave up, we showed spirit and we will have Skinner, Easter, Care, Tiesi and Monye all back next week.

On another point there was an interesting question at the press conference to Ben Foden: “Ben what direction are you getting from the England coaches on what to do to make the team?”Foden: “I didn’t get any...... so all I can do is just play my best” - Now there’s a surprise!

Harlequins: M Brown; D Strettle, G Lowe, N Mordt, T Williams, N Evans, K Dickson, C Jones, T Fuga, J Andress, J Percival , G Robson, C Robshaw (capt), N McMillan, T Guest .Tries: Drauinui 2,Con: Evans 2Pens: Evans

Northampton: B Foden; C Ashton, J Clarke, J Downey, B Reihana; S Myler, L Dickson; S Tonga’uiha, B Sharman, S Bonorino , C Day, J Kruger, P Dowson (capt), N Best, R Wilson.Tries: Reihana, Kruger, Tongauiha.Con: Myler.Pens: Myler 3.

Yellow card: N Best

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