Match Centre: Harlequins 27-30 Saracens
Elliot Daly was one of the try scorer for Saracens
©PA
Harlequins 27-30 Saracens, Twickenham Stoop
Max Malins scored a double as Saracens edged out Harlequins 30-27 in the second round of the Gallagher Premiership at Twickenham Stoop on Saturday.
Saracens now are at eighth place in the table after winning their first game while Harlequins are at fifth position.
The Quins started the game briskly with Cadan Murley diving in the corner in the fourth minute and three minutes later he scored his second try after collecting a pass from Alex Dombrandt. Tommaso Allan kicked both the conversions and also slotted a penalty goal to ensure they raced to a 17-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.
The first response from Saracens came at the start of the second quarter as Nick Tompkins and Elliot Daly combined and in the end the latter went over the line and in the 27th minute Max Malins followed the suit as they narrowed down the deficit to five points.
As the break was approaching, another interception allowed Joe Marchant to dot down and Allan kicked the conversion as the teams completed the opening half with a 24-12 scoreline.
Saracens were the quickest to get off the block in the second half as another counterattack allowed Malins to complete his second in the 45th minute. Farrell missed out on the conversion but made amends with a three-pointer as the scoreline became 24-20 at the end of the opening half.
Mark McCall's men went into the lead for the first time in the game as Farrell's pass took Billy Vunipola close before eventually Nick Tompkins went over the line to claim the bonus point. Farrell was once again spot on with the extras to make it 24-27.
Quins got themselves level just minutes later though as Allan’s second penalty of the day set up a grand finish but Elliot Daly with a long range penalty goal ensured Saracens edged away with a three-point victory.
Team line up:
Harlequins: Green; Marchant, Northmore, Anyanwu, Murley; Allan, Gjaltema; Marler, Head, Collier; Hammond, Herbst, Kenningham, Evans, Dombrandt.
Reserves: Walker, Kerrod, Louw, Lamb, White, Stafford, Edwards, Hyde.
Saracens: Daly; Malins, Lozowski, Tompkins, Lewington; Farrell, Van Zyl; Mawi, Woolstencroft, Judge; Itoje, Tizard, McFarland, Earl, B Vunipola.
Reserves: George, M Vunipola, Clarey, Christie, Wray, Davies, Manu Vunipola, Taylor.
