Harlequins 10-38 Saracens: Owen Farrell-inspired Sarries thrash hosts in impressive Gallagher Premiership Rugby showing
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Updated 18/11/2023 at 23:46 GMT
Saracens proved to be simply too strong for their Gallagher Premiership Rugby opponents Harlequins in their encounter at The Stoop on Saturday evening. Six sparkling tries, together with four conversions from England fly-half Owen Farrell saw the visitors canter to a hugely impressive victory away from home, while for Harlequins, it ended up being a somewhat chastening defeat.
Owen Farrell of Saracens kicks a penalty during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby match between Harlequins and Saracens at The Stoop
Image credit: Getty Images
Defending champions Saracens produced a powerhouse display to overwhelm London rivals Harlequins 38-10 in a one-sided derby demolition in the Gallagher Premiership.
England fly-half Marcus Smith gave the home side an early 3-0 lead with a penalty before Sarries' power, pace and ambition took over as they ran in six tries at a packed Twickenham Stoop.
Juan Martin Gonzalez, Olly Hartley, Jamie George, Andy Christie, Tom Parton and Alex Lewington dotted down as Quins' four-match winning streak came to a shuddering halt with the visitors building a 19-3 lead at the interval to knock the stuffing out of the home side.
Andre Esterhuizen's late consolation try could not take the gloss off a seventh straight win for Sarries against Quins in their pursuit of back-to-back titles with outstanding England captain Owen Farrell adding four conversion kicks in another dominant display in directing traffic.
Quins also had James Chisholm yellow carded late on for dangerous play, but must regroup quickly after such an exacting defeat.
The visitors move above Harlequins into third spot in the table on points difference with the bonus-point win, four adrift of leaders Sale Sharks.
Talking point: Injuries fail to derail Saracens juggernaut
The defending champions lost Ben Earl and Elliot Daly to injury in the pre-match warm-up with Alex Lozowski also forced to quit after taking an awkward tumble in the opening minutes.
But you would barely have spotted such deficiencies during their dismantling of Quins.
The economy of effort in scoring tries was an obvious plus for Saracens, who silenced the large and expectant crowd at The Stoop.
Add to that a watertight defence, power and the ability to run the ball from deep when the mood takes them, and you can see why they are favourites for the title this term.
Player of the match: Maro Itoje (Saracens)
So many candidates for this on the Saracens side, but England lock Itoje was magnificent with his trademark lineout brilliance ably supported by his all-round athleticism.
Overwhelming power was an obvious feature of the away side's dominance, but the big men can also produce moments of genuine creativity. And none more so than Itoje.
Player ratings
Harlequins: David 6, Green 6, Beard 6, Esterhuizen 7, Lynagh 6, Smith 7, Porter 6, Marler 6, Walker 6, Collier 6, Launchbury 6, Hammond 6, Lamb 6, W Evans 6, Dombrandt 7
Saracens: Goode 7, Lewington 7, Lozowski 7, Tompkins 7, Parton 7, Farrell 8, Van Zyl 7, M Vunipola 7, George 7, Riccioni 7, Itoje 8, Tizard 7, Gonzalez 8, Christie 8, B Vunipola 7
Match highlights
19' SARRIES GET THE BIG MEN INVOLVED Launchbury penalised for a late one on Christie before Sarries get the powerful drive on the move off the line-out. They are not interested in the penalty kick and it pays off as Gonzalez powers over from close range. Farrell adds the two. A 7-3 lead for Sarries.
29' A SECOND TRY FOR SARRIES Hartley finishes a brilliant team score for Sarries. No conversion from Farrell, but a 12-3 lead for the visitors.
35' SARRIES ADD THE THIRD TRY Farrell not interested in penalties when the lineout is so effective. Jamie George this time comes round the back for a third try and that maul is demolishing Quins. Farrell adds the two. 19-3 now.
42' AND ANOTHER TRY FOR SARACENS! All too easy for Sarries. Dominant at the lineout again as Itoje wins it. Great support from George and the rolling maul is finished off by Christie.
73' 14-MAN QUINS ENDING THE NIGHT WITH A TRY Not that it will make much difference. Esterhuizen holds off Lewington to reduce the arrears to 38-10.
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