An icy cold but still afternoon at the Stoop, saw Quins avenge December's defeat at Franklin Gardens and continue their impressive home record by outplaying Northampton Saints in the Guinness Premiership.
After Quins had bombarded the Saints line, not letting the visitors set foot out of their own half, South African hooker, Gary Botha, marked his return to the starting line-up with a third-minute try for Quins. Nick Evans got the conversion. 7-0.
Six more points from the boot of Nick Evans took the score to 13-0 at half time, but Quins were unlucky not to score after Saints winger Sean Lamontran failed to touch the ball down over his own line after a kick from Nick Evans. Quins stole the ball and attacked the Saints line, but were then penalised at the ruck.
Half time : 13-0
With 8 minutes gone of the second half, French referee, Christophe Berdos upset the Quins fans by denying Gary Botha his second try. Although Botha had crossed the line the referee ruled that the player had cannoned off him on his way to the line - and awarded Quins a scrum instead.
The frustration spurred Quins on and drove the resulting scrum over the Saints line, where the referee promptly awarded a penalty try. Evans converted. 20-0.
It took them until the second half, but after 53 minutes and 3 attempts, Stephen Myler finally opened the visitors’ account with a penalty. He followed this four minutes later with the final three points. 20-6
Although Saints claimed six points in four minutes, there was never a moment in the match when Quins fans felt unnerved, and Quins put the issue beyond doubt when Jim Evans, capitalising on a break by Nick Evans, and with the clock showing 68 minutes, cantered in for Quins’ third try. Nick Evans then added his third conversion. 27-6.
