By Jeremy O'Gorman
September 19 2022

As I walked from The Albany to the Stoop, as I used the excellent number of bars at the Stoop, several people asked me why their players were not playing, but ours were. I could offer no explanation, but suggested that someone could make the short walk to Twickenham who could give them an explanation. I can only suggest that Saracens are more used to the players turning out for England and made provision in advance that they would be able to play straight away. In any case the most critical player for Harlequins was missing not because he had played for his country, but because he was still doing so. Esterhuizen caused Saracens more problems in the three Premiership fixtures last season than anyone else and I for one was grateful he was not playing.

In any case Quins were up for it from the kick-off. They chased effectively and charged Van Zyl down from his first clearance. Fortunately, no issues but although Zyl was finally able to clear, their trip downfield lasted only for a short while before conceding a penalty. Allen punched it deep into the corner and after winning the lineout Quins pushed almost to the line and then after some close attempts a long pass out allowed Murley to score in the corner. The kick was good and although Saracens managed to finally get hold of the ball in the Quins half, there was an interception, the ball quickly passed to Murley who again was dotting down in the corner. Fortunately from a Saracens point of view, there was a Quins knock-on during the buildup and we came back for the scrum. Two or three phases later, Van Zyl got caught in possession and as the ball came back on the Sarries side, Dombrant pitched it up, fed Murley who this time got closer to the posts.

The kick was good and shortly afterwards a long range penalty just inside the half allowed Allen to set the lead at 17-0 after just 20 minutes played. In the same way that Quins had looked off the pace in the first half of the Newcastle game last week, Saracens were the same here. When they finally did manage at around twenty five minutes to get some ball, their tactics were most un-Saracens like. Almost every tackle had the player looking for an offload, some very good others not quite so. In the next half an hour or so five tries were scored as a result of this offloading tactic. The first came on the left, two or three players taking an offload and cutting back straight. This left plenty of space on the outside and a two on one with Daly collecting a pass with enough room to dot down in the corner before being tackled. Faz missed the kick. It was just in front of me and I was surprised to hear conversations going on as if nothing was happening, right next to him.

The second came on the half hour mark, half a dozen offloads before Malins had the same amount of space on the other side, He put the ball down untouched and this time Faz was more effective with the conversion to bring the game back to 5 points. Saracens were beginning to come into the ascendancy and looked likely to score from a 5 yard lineout, but the ball to Lewington was behind him and he could not hang on. Quins managed to clear their lines and made ground before Saracens tried to play their way out of the 22. It seemed a most un-Saracens like behaviour, but Earl and Theo almost broke free of tacklers before Lozowski was clattered and his offload went to ground. Faz patted it up towards Tompkins, but the ever observant Dombrant grabbed it and fed Marchant who scored. Again Allen was good with the conversion and Quins went in 24-12 up.

The second half was much the same as the second half of the first; all Saracens. This offloading game was unusual but exciting to watch. The next try was the result of a kick chase; a bit more normal. Lewington followed up and a back pass was dropped allowing for him to pick up and almost score. The pass to Lozowski almost brought a score under the posts, but with a minimal defence from Quins the next pass saw Malins stroll over out wide. Faz again didn’t seem to have his kicking boots on to leave Quins 7 points ahead. I felt pretty confident at this point as the game was pretty one sided. Dombrant, who was the only Quins player making a difference had left the field and they seemed unsure what to do. Kicking it away seemed their plan but with no chase to the kick. All this possession allowed Saracens to dominate to the hour mark, with Malins weaving his way through the defence only for the pass to Lewington to come to nothing.

However, Sarries did get a penalty right in front of the posts and in Sarries normal fashion they took the points to remain 4 points behind. The bonus-point try was not long coming with offloads and movement to left and right before Tompkins straightened and scored untouched. This time it was almost in front of the posts, Faz making no mistake this time. Saracens took the lead for the first time and the game went off the boil a little with the bonus-point secured and substitutions made. Quins were trying harder now, earning a penalty kicked to the corner. They didn’t plan on Itoje getting his hands on the ball as the catcher came down. Sarries won the scrum with a penalty and that was the last time Quins got into the 22. They did win a penalty shortly afterwards and this time took the point to level the game up.

That only lasted for a short while as a penalty on halfway saw Daly clear the crossbar with ease to restore the 3 point lead. It was still going up when it crossed the uprights. There was a bit of huff and puff from Quins, but the game was being played just outside their 22. Just before Marler was substituted, the “self-professed best scrummager in England” got handed a pair of wings by Clary. Great stuff. As the final whistle approached, Quins got a penalty and they kicked for touch. Not very far, just over halfway and from the lineout itoje again got his hands on the ball. The ball kicked to touch by a very grimaced faced Faz for an unlikely but in the end deserved win. Looking with hindsight, Quins scored one try off their own ball, plus a couple of penalties. Sarries gifted them 14 points from poor handling and first game fumbling. Sarries scored four good tries and to be honest could have scored four more.

If thats the way Sarries are going to play this season it’s going to be great. The wolfpack defence is still there, the scramble defence not quite so, but Murley was quick once he had the ball. The kick-chase looked as good as ever and the tactical kicking was also good. Theo McFarland collecting a kick-off to the ten yard line with one outstretched hand was worth the admission price on its own. Ben Earl broke the line several times      

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Harlequins: Green; Marchant, Northmore, Anyanwu, Murley; Allan, Gjaltema; Marler, Head, Collier; Hammond, Herbst, Kenningham, Evans, Dombrandt.

Replacements: Walker, Kerrod, Louw, Lamb, White, Stafford, Edwards, Hyde.

Saracens: Daly; Malins, Lozowski, Tompkins, Lewington; Farrell, Van Zyl; Mawi, Woolstencroft, Judge; Itoje, Tizard, McFarland, Earl, B Vunipola.

Replacements: George, M Vunipola, Clarey, Christie, Wray, Davies, Manu Vunipola, Taylor.

Referee: Tom Foley.

Scorers:

Harlequins (27) Tries: Murley (2), Marchant; Conv: Allan (3); Pen: Allan (2)

Saracens (30) Tries: Daly, Malins (2), Tompkins; Conv: Farrell (2); Pen: Farrell, Daly

Attendance: 12,831