Match Centre: Gallagher Premiership: Saracens 36-24 Harlequins
Nick Tompkins was one of Saracens' try-scorer
©PA
Saracens 36-24 Harlequins, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Saracens have secured a top two finish as they defeated Harlequins 36-24 in the latest round of the Gallagher Premiership at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday.
They now have consolidated their position at the top with a tally of 67 points while Harlequins are at eighth place.
It took Harlequins just one minute to score their first points as Alex Dombrandt burrowed in the corner and Marcus Smith followed with the conversion before Saracens made a strong response with back to back tries.
First it was Ben Earl, whose offload allowed Alex Lozowsk to touchdown and Owen Farrell improved it as he reached 100 points in this season's Premiership. Five minutes later it was Lozowski and Ivan van Zyl combined to send Nick Tompkins over the line and Farrell kicked the extras to make it 14-7.
The Quins suffered a setback in the 19th minute as Danny Care was sin-binned for a dangerous tackle on Ivan Van Zyl and the England captain kicked a three-pointer to make it 17-7.
At the stroke of half time, Saracens secured their third try as Andy Christie dived in the corner but Farrell missed out on the conversion as they completed the opening half with a 22-7 lead.
The start of the second half as Cadan Murley and Maitland exchanged tries to make it 29-14 before the Quins wing completed his second in the 60th minute after overcoming a tackle from Max Malins to make it 29-19.
Harlequins' comeback was hampered with Luke Northmore becoming their second player to be yellow carded for a dangerous tackle on Farrell and minutes later Maro Itoje dived from close range to extend Saracens' lead to 36-19.
The start of the final 10 minutes saw Christie yellow carded following which Joe Marchant went over but could not prevent Saracens from completing a 12 point victory.
Team line up:
Saracens: Goode; Malins, Lozowski, Tompkins, Maitland; Farrell (capt), van Zyl; M Vunipola, George, Riccioni, Itoje, Tizard, Christie, Earl, B Vunipola.
Reserves: Dan, Mawi, Clarey, Isiekwe, Wray, Davies, Taylor, Lewington.
Harlequins: David; Marchant, Northmore, Esterhuizen, Murley; Smith, Care (capt); Marler, Walker, Louw, Herbst, Lamb, Kenningham, Chisholm, Dombrandt.
Reserves: Riley, Baxter, Collier, Hammond, Evans, Steele, Allan, Beard.
