Harlequins saw out an intense battle on Sunday 13 October at Twickenham Stoop, to defeat Saracens 17 to 10.
The two teams put out all-star line ups, with Cadan Murley and Joe Marler returning from injury for Harlequins.
However, the start of the match was marred after an injury to Saracens’ Andy Christie’s meant he had to be escorted off the pitch on a stretcher.
Fans stood to applaud the player as he was taken to receive medical attention after only six minutes of play. Christie had only just returned from two broken arms in a series of freak injuries.
As play resumed, Harlequins’ strong defence and tight teamwork kept the score even as James Chisholm was lost to the sin bin after a yellow card on his own try line.
At 27 minutes, Fin Baxter dove over the line in a powerful attack to give Harlequins a 7-0 lead and the try was converted by a superb Marcus Smith kick.
Tactical plays opened the second half as Harlequins locked down the defence, winning a turnover from England’s Elliot Daly.
However, after 50 minutes, Saracens had enough when lock Tom Willis struck through the Harlequins wall and Tizard took the ball over the line.
It was converted by a soaring kick from Alex Lozowski and was deserved after a few strong plays in the second half, leaving the score at 7-7.
A quick response from Harlequins followed as English fly-half Marcus Smith sliced through the Saracens defence and found space for Porter to pass a perfect ball to Lennox Anyanwu, who flew over the try line.
Smith converted again with ease, leaving Harlequins fans in shock as the lead increased to 14-7.
Tense plays with fast passes followed until Earl gave away a penalty and Smith sent it through, making the deficit more comfortable for the home team at 17-7.
A 77th minute penalty for Saracens came after veteran Marler made a mistake and the deficit was reduced to just 17-10.
It was not enough for the troubled Sarries though, as Harlequins forced the ball out into touch in the 79th minute and a countdown cam from the stands, until the ball was flying out of the stadium and the Harlequins came away with the historic win.
Coach Danny Wilson said to TNT: “Jason Gilmore has come in and done a brilliant job.”
“Our physicality in defence and the amount of sets we had to go through, stopping their maul as well which is a big weapon for them.”
Wilson grinned as he finished: “Today we set a tone that allowed us when we got our opportunities to take our chances.”
This Saturday, Harlequins stay at home to face Bath and Saracens go north to face the Bears at Bristol.
Balsam Maki
James Woodham
Dharmi Dave