This has become the traditional curtain raiser to this fixture but no conclusions can ever be drawn as to the effect the result has on the morale of the team in the main event.

Harlequins started well.  Ceri Jones went over after five minutes and Paul Burke duly converted.  This early lead may have indicated to those watching that Harlequins were on course to register their fourth win of the season.

However, this would have been to ignore the contribution made by Andy Goode who finished the match with 24 points to his name.

Saracens set about the task of overhauling the opening deficit with a drop goal and two penalties from Goode.

When Thomas Castaignede touched down under the posts soon afterwards the easy conversion by Goode left Saracens leading by 16 points to 7.

The penalty awarded when Richard Houghton was sent to the sin-bin shortly afterwards enabled Harlequins to get back to 16 - 10 but they were unable to make Saracens suffer at all while they were down to 14 men.

A penalty for each side took the score to 19 - 13 at half time.

Any real prospect of Harlequins getting back into lead was made very much harder by two further penalties kicked by Andy Goode, taking the score to 25 - 13.

Your correspondent scarcely had time to note that one down when Castaignede made a lovely run before passing the ball to Haughton who took the ball over.  After the conversion Saracens were in the lead by 32 - 13.

This was extended by another Saracens try, which was converted, to make the score 39 - 16.

This appeared to put Saracens out of sight.

However, the last quarter of the match saw Harlequins make a very good comeback which was sufficient to secure a bonus point.  Not the hoped-for win, but better than nothing.

This revival was not entirely expected but was helped by two Saracens players being sent to the sin-bin and Harlequins being awarded a penalty try.

Penalty Try (robshew)

At 39 - 23 Harlequins still had plenty to do in a very short time but a try by Simon Keogh converted by Andy Dunne, who had come on to replace Paul Burke and a penalty from very near the halfway line also kicked by Andy Dunne saw an unlikely bonus point gained.

Keogh Try (Robshew)

In a postmatch interview a well-known supporter of Harlequins said "we gave away too many penalties, kicked away too much ball and let Andy Goode play a confident game."

It would be nice to think that those in the Harlequins management with memories of being at Saracens could come back to Vicarage Road and lay a few ghosts to rest.

This ambition will have to wait for another season.


 

Bookmark or share this story with:

• Digg
• Delicious
• Facebook
• Reddit
• Stumbleupon

SPORTNETWORK SPECIALS