The weather did not help what would have been a much more entertaining match making handling a lottery although both sides tried hard to play attacking running rugby.

Almost immediately after the start, a penalty kicked accurately by Rory Clegg opened the scoring. After ten minutes that was added to when an excellent run by Sam Smith took play almost to the Saracens’ line. Quins were able to recycle the ball and move it to the forwards for James Johnston to crash over for a try that Clegg converted and a 0 – 10 lead.

A penalty for offside allowed Owen Farrell to open the home account shortly after. Then another penalty allowed Saracens to set up an attacking lineout five metres from the Quins’ line and Lezszcuk came off the back of the lineout to score. The conversion attempt failed but the lead had been reduced to 8 - 10. An injury to Robson saw him replaced by Twomey after only thirty minutes. With a couple of minutes of the first half remaining, a yellow card for Luke Wallace gave Farrell the opportunity to kick Saracens into a lead at half-time by 11 -10.

Quins started the second half brightly and after only four minutes set up a lineout deep in their opponents’ twenty-two on the right. Quins were awarded a free kick for an offence at the lineout and opted for a scrum. Chris York broke from the base of the scrum and put Joe Trayfoot over for the try. Clegg’s kick failed.

Far too often Quins’ attacks broke down from unforced errors in handling or penalties at the breakdown awarded to the defending team as the rain continued unabated. Then after twenty-five minutes of the second half, a fine run by the Saracens’ left wing was stopped just short of the line, but Quins had gone offside. Quins foiled the catch and drive from the lineout that followed, but Saracens increased the pressure and managed to create an overlap for Fraser to score in the corner. Farrell added the conversion for Saracens to lead 18 – 15.

Then an up and under from Clegg was not gathered by the defence and Casson and Urdapilleta were able to gain possession of the ball for the latter to cross for the try. Clegg added the points to restore the lead. Clegg had an opportunity to increase the lead when a yellow card for a Saracens’ lock produced a kickable penalty but the kick slid left. He made amends when he added another three points with just a couple of minutes remaining to secure the victory.

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