The London rivalry between Harlequins and Saracens is the last of the genuine London derbies since Wasps moved to Coventry and London Irish are based in Reading. You know when these two play you can expect a match full of passion, fight and drama, so this past Sunday we could expect double that as there was a double header at the Twickenham stoop with the Men teeing off against each other in the Aviva Premiership followed by their women counterparts in a top of the table clash in the Tyrrells 15s league.
Men’s Match – Harlequins Vs Saracens
Going into this match both teams were in poor form with Quins coming off the back of two away defeats in the league while Sarries had lost 4 games in a row; 2 in the Anglo-Welsh cup and 2 in the league. Both teams would be looking for a win to change their fortunes and they were boosted by the return of their International players after the culmination of the Autumn Internationals. With Harlequins defensive frailties this season; they average conceding around 4 tries a game while Saracens have an awesome defence and good attack you could of been forgiven for expecting Harlequins to get hammered! and those fears were not allayed when Saracens scored a try through captain Brad Barritt within two minutes; My mate Ed turned to me and said “Shall we go?” But I said have some faith this is the stoop and Quins do not lose easily at home and this was a London Derby, bragging rights to play for! One of our guaranteed home wins for the season! (Quins have beaten Saracens in the last 2 meetings at the stoop) Harlequins were not going to lie down, they kept possession well, going through the phases patiently, Saracens defence; dubbed the “Wolfpack” held firm – an old fashioned tussle. Harlequins spent a lot of the first half in Sarries twenty-two but still they had nothing to show for it, line out after line out, maul after maul, phase after phase, Quins soon had their rewards; Jamie Roberts running a trademark line to get close to the try line, The Sarries defence narrowed while trying to stop him. Danny Care then got the ball and found Charlie Walker in the corner with a fantastic kick. Half time – Harlequins 5 – 10 Saracens
The second half was much more of the same, Harlequins with the lions share of the possession, Sarries fantastic in defence, finding a way to maintain a lead without much of the ball. A couple of second half penalties gave Sarries a 16-8 lead with ten minutes to go, they were edging towards a hard fought victory but that’s when the game came to life; Quins got a penalty and Danny Care, the England scrum half took a trademark tap and go and used his pace to pass the defenders, he chipped the ball over the oncoming defender before being blatantly taken out, however the anticipation of Charlie Walker who was on the far wing left him in a footrace with the last defender to reach the ball as it approached the try line and there was no competing with Walkers pace as he got to the ball unopposed to score the try. James Lang converted the try and Saracens only had a 1 point lead. The Stoop was bouncing, they lived in hope of that winning score, roaring on every phase. With minutes remaining Saracens got a penalty and kicked the points – 5 minutes remaining, Saracens led by 4. That didn’t dishearten Quins they only needed a try to win the game, they went through the phases again trying to breach the Sarries defence and then came a penalty from Will Skelton for a high tackle, which on reflection was very harsh. But this allowed James Lang to kick it into the corner and give Quins a chance with the line out. Line out was won by Quins, the maul formed and then Quins were given the advantage so Care took possession off the ball and kicked a cross field kick towards Visser on the wing, the stoop paused in anticipation, the kick seemed to fall short as Alex Goode comes under the flight of the ball and gets a hand to it but he only manages to push the ball into the arms of Visser who has a free run to the line – TRY. The stoop erupted, the players celebrated, they had taken the lead 20-19 with only a minute to go; Lang missed the conversion and there was still time for the restart – Man of the match Robshaw gathered with ease and when Care kicked the ball into touch the Stoop went wild, the players went wild; they had beaten the champions of Europe at home for the 3rd time in a row!
Ladies Match – Harlequins Vs Saracens
There was not much time to get over the last minute drama in the men’s match when the ladies match kicked off; this match didn’t need bigging up, a London Derby, a top of the table clash – only one bonus point separates the two teams.
Harlequins got the first points on the board when Holly Myers showed her pace to run 50m through the Sarries defence to touch down within 3 minutes. A few minutes later Saracens scored their first try when they got a penalty, they kicked to corner – won the lineout and the driving maul over the line to score – Harrison converted successfully which gave the visitors a slight lead. Quins then enjoyed some possession within Sarries 22 edging closer and closer to the try line, a series of advantages were being played which resulted in the referee blowing his whistle in between the posts – Penalty try to the hosts who went ahead 12-7. Saracens responded brilliantly with a try from Poppy Cleall and two Marlie Packer tries each side of half time giving the visitors the bonus point win. There was some determined defence on show by both teams in the second half, Fiona Fletcher got a try back for Quins as a result of a powerful driving maul to make it 19-28 but that’s how it would end – A Marlie Packer hat-trick the highlight!
Quins will be disappointed with their first loss of the season but this is a special group of players with lots of talent and they will achieve a lot together. They will also be buoyed by the thousands that stayed behind to watch – a sure sign that double headers are the way forward to grow the women’s game. Harlequins are trying to break the women’s club attendance record in March by selling out the stoop in their match against Richmond – I’m sure it will be a great occasion and you can get your tickets using the link below. With England women reaching the world cup final earlier this year, the launch of the Tyrrells 15s league and the quality of rugby on show in the game between these two, women’s rugby is in a great place and there is so much more to come!
Harlequins Ladies Tickets: http://bit.ly/2xQUcSW
