As Autumn crept in over the Stoop, Quins looked to be coasting to victory as they went into the second half leading 14-5. However, Sarries turned the game round, capitalising on penalties and a breakaway try, which allowed them to clinch the game 21-25.

Saracen’s Jake Sharp kicked off the game and a Quins lineout shortly followed. After losing their initial set play, Quins were awarded a valuable scrum, which saw Tom Guest make good ground. Saracens turned the ball once more and returned at Quins with fast pace, catching them on the back foot. A try looked imminent before the ball was dropped one metre from the try line by Saracens’ centre field. Quins defended their try line well and the attacking scrum gave them a break by the back row to deliver the ball further up the field. A defensive chip from Clegg found touch and gave the visitors a much needed lineout. The ball was worked from left to right and a failed drop kick by Jake Sharp kept the game at 0-0.

Further handling errors by both sides went in favour of Quins and a scrum was awarded. The Harlequins scrum looked strong and delivered the ball to the backs, which saw Sam Smith and Seb Jewell deliver some penetrating runs up the field. Clegg attempted a drop goal from half way which fell 5m short, but set the mood to put Quins back on the attack. Waisea Luveniyali’s fancy footwork broke through 3 missed tackles, leading to a penalty awarded to Quins. Clegg successfully collected the points, putting the home side 3-0 in the lead.

After 2 line-outs in close succession from the restart, Chris York demonstrated a tremendous leg drive up the pitch within sniffing distance of the try line. Saracens had a penalty awarded against them after continually standing up in the scrum which Clegg capitalised on, taking Harlequins 6-0 up.

Saracens collected their restart and a strong Up and Under from their full back Michael Horak saw Sarries try to fight back. Saracens lost their lineout once more after a long throw was collected by Neil McMillan, who thundered back at the visitors. A quick tap penalty by Steve So’oialo led to a further penalty in Quins’ favour in front of the posts. Clegg added another valuable 3 points, taking Quins 9-0.

The visitors did not give up fighting in the first half and they took the restart at a fast pace towards Quins. A fast break from Owen Farrell was stopped 5 metres short of scoring by some hard hits from the Quins forwards. A late drop kick attempt by Jake Sharp was successfully charged down by Chris York as Quins held strong in defense. Sam Smith delivered a further try saving tackle on Jackson Wray who looked set to score from a breakaway move. However, Saracens scrambled back to take the ball over the line and the try was awarded to Don Barrell, but not converted. This took the visitors to 9-5.

Harlequins looked undeterred as Chris Brooker made a break from the restart and stormed the ball 20 metres into the Saracens half. After Sarries briefly turned the ball, Clegg delivered the kick of the game and found touch 5 metres short of the try line. A failed Saracens lineout saw a strong Clegg - Jewell combination delivering the ball out wide to Ross Chisholm who made a breakaway sprint. The backs displayed fast hands from left to right and it was Luveniyali who took the ball over the line for Quins’ second try. Clegg couldn’t make the conversion but Quins went into half time at 14-5.

Saracens came into the second half ready to level the scoring. It was Adam Powell who made the break up centre field and brought the visitors back into the game. Sharp converted the try, bringing the score to 14-12. Harlequins introduced fresh legs into the forwards with Johnston and Buchanan, replacing Andress and Brooker. Quins’ hard running wasn’t rewarded after some silly mistakes allowed Saracens to capitalise on two penalties and Sharp added a further 6 points on the board within 10 minutes. The visitors were now 14-18 up and Harlequins were camped in their own half after some strong runs from the Saracens back line. Further substitutions saw Jono Ross, Joe Marler, Gareth Williams, Luke Wallace and Joe Trayfoot take to the field. Ross staged a Quins comeback instantly with a strong charge down on the Sarries kick and a fast break up the field. Much of the second half saw repeated set play by the forwards taking the ball into contact and kicks were exchanged between the two sides. Saracens made another interception between 9 and 10, sending Jake Sharp over the line, who converted his own try and took the visitors soaring ahead at 14-25.

Full Time was nearing but Quins didn’t drop their heads and a pacey move by Sam Smith, with a cheeky offload to Luveniyali, motivated Harlequins back into the game and ensured the visitors were sent backwards to defend their try line once more. Quins kept the ball alive and as the ball was passed up the line, it was Clegg who saw a gap and charged over the line, converting his own try at the final whistle. The final Score 21-25.