27 December 2011
In front of a sell-out Twickenham
crowd, it was a top-of-the-table London derby at the home of English rugby as
reigning Aviva Premiership champions, Saracens, took down the previously
unbeaten, Harlequins.
David Strettle, who was forced off the
field with injury during the game, scored what was, in the end, the crucial
try. After four penalties from England hopeful, Owen Farrell, Saracens made 19
points in the first half whilst Harlequins produced just six.
Joe Marler reignited the exhausted
Quins side with a second half try but along with a Nick Evans penalty, it wasn’t
enough to overthrow Saracens.
Both sides opened strongly but David Strettle’s opening try came after he intercepted a stray pass from the Quins attack, much to the dislike of the Harlequins supporters, and crossed for the score. Nick Evans kicked a penalty 18 minutes into the match and added another right at the death. If it wasn’t for Owen Farrell, who kicked four first half penalty goals, Harlequins would have been in with a shout at half time but the score at the break was 19-6.
Saracens showed a strong display of
defensive rugby for most of the second period bar one hiccup when Joe Marler,
who is known for his wild hairstyles, crossed the line to give Harlequins a
glimmer of hope in defending their unbeaten run this season.
However, Quins were unable to do so
and lost by a margin of 19 points to 11. The Saracens victory means they edge
ever closer to top-of-the-table Harlequins, with 38 points. But Harlequins still
lead the way on 43 points heading into 2012.
Harlequins: Brown,
Stegmann (Williams, 33), Hopper, Turner-Hall, Monye, Evans, Care; Marler,
Brooker (Gray, 58), Johnston (Fairbrother, 58), Vallejos, Robson, Fa’asavalu,
Robshaw, Easter
Saracens:
Goode, Strettle (Wyles, 42), Farrell, Barritt, Short, Hodgson, Stringer
(Spencer, 60); Gill (Smit, 60), Brits, Nieto (Stevens, 45), Borthwick, Kruis
(Botha, 49), Brown, Saull, Joubert
