Harlequins defeat Saracens with impressive showing in derby

Harlequins ended Saracens’ five-game winning streak in the London derby, with their stout defence key to victory.

Sarries dominated possession and territory, especially in the first half, but Quins held on and crucially went in front during their first venture inside the opposition 22 thanks to Fin Baxter’s close-range try.

The visitors, who came into the game with three-straight victories, may have been put off their stride by Andy Christie being stretchered off early in the match, but got level when Hugh Tizard dived over following a fine driving run from Tom Willis.

The parity lasted less than three minutes until Marcus Smith set up Will Porter to pass wide for Lennox Anyanwu to race over the line.

The win is Quins’ second of the season in their fourth match and lifts them to sixth place, while Saracens stay second.

It was one of the great rearguard efforts from Quins who produced 230 tackles in the match, at a 90% success mark.

Incredibly, Jack Kenningham (26) and Irne Herbst (24) together reached a half-century of tackles on the day, with six of the top seven accumulators from the home side.

Head coach Danny Wilson described the game as having a Test match feel and Saracens were certainly made to work for every inch gained when they ventured inside the 22.

Renowned for their flamboyant play, which saw them thrillingly win in Bordeaux in last year’s European Cup semi-final, Quins demonstrated a resilience which can only bode well for the business end of this season.

All of the pack deserve enormous credit, but Baxter was the man who our pundits plumped for as the best man on the field.

He racked up the third highest number of Quins tackles with 16, but also impressed in attack, helping to drive his side forward and take advantage of their forays inside the opposition half.

“He looks like a complete player,” Ugo Monye said on TNT Sports.

Harlequins: Halfpenny 7, David 7, Beard 6, Anyanwu 7, Murley 7, Smith 8, Porter 7; Baxter 9*, Walker 7, Lamositele 7, Herbst 8, Lewies 7, Lamb-Cona 7, Kenningham 8, Chisholm 7.

Subs: Jibulu 7, Marler 6, Launchbury 6, Cunningham-South 6, Evans 6, Evans 6.

Saracens: Goode 7, Elliott 6, Lozowski 6, Tompkins 6, Daly 6, Burke 6, Van Zyl 6; Carre 6, George 6, Riccioni 6, Itoje 7, Isiekwe 7, Gonzalez 6, Christie 6, Earl 6.

Subs: Dan 6, Mawi 7, Clarey 6, Tizard 7, Willis 8, Simpson 6, Cinti 6.

5′ TRY! HARLEQUINS (BAXTER) 5-0 SARACENS! Finally there is a breakthrough and it is from Harlequins in their first visit inside the 22. It is Baxter who forces his way over from a metre out.

49′ TRY! HARLEQUINS 7-5 SARACENS (TIZARD)! The damage was caused by Willis’ carry to the brink and then Tizard cleverly goes over Chisholm’s arms and touches over the line.

53′ TRY! HARLEQUINS (ANYANWU) 12-7 SARACENS! Smith with the crucial line break and then Porter passes wide to Anyanwu who races over the line.

• 63 – The percentage of time the ball was in Harlequins’ half. But it ultimately did not matter.