Match Centre: Gallagher Premiership: Northampton Saints 36-33 Harlequins

Northampton Saints 36-33 Harlequins, cinch Stadium @ Franklin's Gardens

Northampton successfully overcame a late try from Nathan Jibulu as they sealed a 36-33 victory over Harlequins in the seventh round of the Gallagher Premiership at cinch Stadium @ Franklin's Gardens on Friday.

This is fourth win for Northampton in seven games as they retained their fourth place in the table while Harlequins now have suffered two successive defeats despite which they are at third place in the table.

Harlequins opened the score in the fifth minute as Cadan Murley burrowed from close range for the opening try as he dived from close range for his first try in the season but Marcus Smith missed out on the conversion.

The response from the Saints came in the 8th minute as Ollie Sleightholme breached the defence of the Quins to scramble through the line and George Furbank's conversion made it 7-5.

The trend continued as Jack Walker and Lewis Ludlam traded tries as the scoreline remained at 14-12 before Alex Mitchell grabbed on a loose ball to score in the 40th minute and Furbank improved it as the Saints completed the opening half with a 21-12 lead.

Furbank helped Northampton get off the block early in the second half with a three-pointer before Marcus Smith popped a kick to beat the home side's defence allowing George Hammond to dive in the corner. Smith kicked the conversion as the Quins narrowed down the gap to 24-19.

The Saints extended the gap as Alex Coles scored under the posts helping them secure the bonus point and Furbank improved it to make it 31-19 but the Quins remained in the game as Will Evans drove his way over in the 68th minute and Smith improved making it 31-26.

As the game entered the final eight minutes, Sleightholme completed his second try after collecting George Hendy's pass but Furbank missed out on the conversion making it 36-26 which proved enough despite Nathan Jibulu scoring a late try for the Quins, who finished with a losing bonus point.

Team line up:

Northampton: Hendy; Sleightholme, Freeman, Dingwall, Ramm; Furbank, Mitchell; E Waller, Matavesi, Davison, Munga, Coles, Lawes, Pearson, Ludlam (capt).

Reserves: Cruse, A Waller, Millar Mills, Lockett, Scott-Young, James, Savala, Litchfield.

Harlequins: Green; Murley, Joseph, Esterhuizen, Lynagh; Smith, Care; Baxter, Walker, Lewis, Herbst, Hammond, Lamb, W Evans, Dombrandt (capt).

Reserves: Jibulu, Garcia Botta, Chawatama, Cunningham-South, Chisholm, Porter, J Evans, Beard.