The return of Marcus Smith inspired Harlequins to their first win of the season in the Gallagher Premiership, while Saracens saw their perfect start come to an end with a 20-14 defeat at The Stoop.
Smith, making his first appearance since the British and Irish Lions tour, scored the Quins’ first try and directed the aerial attack that ultimately led to the defeat of their London rivals.
The English playmaker also achieved two conversions, the second improving Tyrone Green’s touchdown in the second half, and two penalties to surpass Owen Farrell, who pulled the strings for the Saracens at inside center.
Farrell created tries for Fergus Burke and Ben Earl with a sublime pass and a precise cross-kick, but it wasn’t enough to prevent his team from suffering their third consecutive defeat against the Harlequins.Marcus Smith tuvo un regreso exitoso para los Harlequins.The hosts dominated most of the first half, but their lead at halftime was only 10-7, with a Smith penalty as the difference between the rivals.
The battle in the scrum, the kicking game and the big individual moments went the way of the Quins, but they only had one try to show for their dominance, with Smith dummying to score in the ninth minute, beating a tackle from Marco Riccioni in the process.
Farrell missed a routine kick launched by Smith, which caused the joy of the local fans, who then celebrated when the Saracens’ number eight, Tom Willis, was pushed back in the tackle by Kieran Treadwell.
Both teams punted the ball at every opportunity, with the first quarter producing an average of one kick per minute, but it was Smith who dominated the aerial game through his variety.
The Saracens were struggling to get out of their half, but in the 27th minute their attack came alive when Farrell delivered a spectacular pass to Lucio Cinti, and one pass later Burke finished an early try candidate for try of the season.
The outstanding Chandler Cunningham-South made a big hit on his opposite number Willis and when the home team’s powerful scrum received a penalty, Smith scored.
The second half was less than a minute old when Quins extended their lead, Burke failing to deal with a Smith kick, allowing Green to fly in and touch down.
The Saracens sought to exert pressure on the 22 locals, but the scrum proved to be their undoing once again, conceding a penalty that left their opponents out of danger.
The north London club were building momentum and in the 65th minute they created their second try, with Max Malins initiating an attack that ended with Farrell executing an exquisite cross-kick for Ben Earl to score.
Prop Boris Wenger had a try disallowed for a double movement as Quins looked to respond and spent the final minutes in enemy territory, closing out the game with Smith slotting his second penalty in the final minute, moments before being named man of the match.
