Marcus Smith’s return 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, who made his first appearance since the British and Irish Lions tour, scored Quins’ first try and directed the aerial attack that ultimately led to the defeat of their London rivals.
The talented England player also scored two conversions, the second improving Tyrone Green’s try in the second half, and two penalties to surpass Owen Farrell, who led Saracens from 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 Harlequins.The hosts dominated most of the first half, but their lead at halftime was only 10-7, with a Smith penalty marking the difference between the rivals.
The battle in the scrum, the kicking game and the big individual moments favored Quins, but they only had one try to show for their dominance, with Smith deceiving 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 Saracens’ number eight, Tom Willis, was pushed back in the tackle by Kieran Treadwell.
Both teams punted the ball on every opportunity, with the first quarter producing an average of one punt per minute, but it was Smith who dominated the aerial game through his variety.
Saracens struggled to escape their half, but in the 27th minute their attack came alive when Farrell made a spectacular pass to Lucio Cinti, and one pass later Burke scored a try worthy of being the best of the season.
The outstanding Chandler Cunningham-South made a big hit on his opponent Willis and when the home team’s powerful scrum received a penalty, Smith hit the target.
The second half was less than a minute old when Quins extended their lead, Burke failing to control a Smith kick, allowing Green to fly in and touch down.
Saracens sought to apply pressure in the locals’ 22-meter area, but the scrum proved to be their undoing once more, conceding a penalty that freed their opponents.
The north London club were building momentum and in the 65th minute conjured their second try, with Max Malins initiating an attack that ended with Farrell executing an exquisite cross-kick for Ben Earl to score.
The pillar Boris Wenger had a try disallowed for a double movement while Quins sought to respond and spent the last minutes in enemy territory, closing the game with Smith scoring his second penalty in the dying seconds, moments before being named man of the match.
