Harlequins travelled to local rivals Saracens on a wet and windy November afternoon this Sunday in a battle of second and fourth in the table.

With a much-depleted side following a run of injuries and international call-ups, Quins found themselves on the wrong side of the final whistle.

The hosts were quickest out the blocks at the StoneX Arena this weekend, almost claiming their first try within the first five minutes down the right touchline.

While the fringes of Quins' defence were able to shut down the early assault, Saracens switched their focus to Quins' left flank, eventually sending hooker Tom Woolstencroft over from a driving maul for the first points of the day. No conversion from England international Alex Lozowski as his side took an early 5-0 lead.

Quins soon turned up the heat with their reply. Finding some momentum, an initial scoring attempt as lock Hugh Tizard burst through the Saracens defence was scuppered as loosehead Santiago Garcia Botta failed to hold on to the ball over the line.

The second attempt would prove fruitful as veteran scrum-half Danny Care bamboozled the Saracens defence, fading left and right before sniping over from short range to give his side the lead once halfback partner Tommy Allan had added the extras.

A costly earlier penalty for Sarries centre Dom Morris, who handed Quins scoring field possession after taking Quins openside Luke Wallace off the ball and beyond the ruck within his own half.

The lead was not long lived for the visitors as the hosts claimed their second try through wing Sean Maitland, with the Scottish international racing into the right-hand corner for the score.

advertisement

With no conversion once again from Lozowski, with the wind playing havoc in North London, an Allan penalty shortly before the break saw both teams head into the changing rooms with ten points to their names.

Despite showing real attacking promise in the second half a much-depleted Quins side struggled to claim further points as Lozowski kicked three second-half penalties to put the visitors just out of range of a losing bonus-point.

Next up for Quins, Wasps travel to The Stoop for the Club's third annual Pride match on Saturday 19 February.

Final score: Saracens 19 – 10 Harlequins