Five Try Derby Day Delight

The line ups saw some surprises, although Alex Goode's restoration to Saracens starting XV was not one of them. Chris Ashton and David Strettle continued on the wings, with a centre partnership of Marcelo Bosch and Chris Wyles. In the half backs, Neil de Kock was chosen to start alongside Charlie Hodgson, who made his 100th Saracens appearance. Into the forwards, and the opening front row consisted of Mako Vunipola, Jamie George and James Johnston, whilst George Kruis returned at lock alongside Alistair Hargreaves; the back row comprising of Jackson Wray, Jacques Burger and Billy Vunipola. For Quins, Mike Brown didn't feature, so Ross Chisholm started in the full back berth. Marland Yarde and Ugo Monye were on the wings, with the pairing of Matt Hooper and Harry Sloan continuing at centre, and Nick Evans at fly half with Danny Care at scrum half. Captain Joe Marler returned as expected at loosehead prop, accompanied by hooker Dave Ward and tighthead Kyle Sinckler in the front row. Charlie Matthews and George Robson, in his 200th appearance, teamed up in the second row, whilst Jack Clifford and Chris Robshaw fulfilled the flanker roles and Nick Easter was at number 8.

 

Harlequins found themselves 5-0 up with just 20 seconds on the clock as de Kock's attempted box kick was charged down by Clifford to advance and score in the right hand corner, but Evans dragged the conversion just wide. The visitors' bright start continued as Matthews' break set up Yarde only for the ball to work loose in a promising position. In contrast, during these early stages, Saracens' attacking efforts were thwarted by knock-ons and ineffective kicking as they took time to settle. When they did click, though, after ten minutes, it was a joy to behold as a slick set of passes at pace across the midfield saw Bosch and Ashton find de Kock to put Wyles straight in beneath the posts, and Hodgson duly converted for a 7-5 lead. Three minutes later, a broken down attack from Harlequins after they have gained territory following a penalty awarded against Strettle for a deliberate knock on, saw the winger break deep into Harlequins territory as Ashton was thwarted by Monye, but the Quins 11, due to retire at the end of the season, was yellow carded for not releasing the ball after the whistle. Hodgson duly added three more points for a 10-5 lead after a quarter of an hour.

 

Harlequins responded with a sustained period of pressure which they did get reward for, as Evans made it 10-8 after Saracens were penalised for an infringement in the tackle. However, in the main, Quins' attacking efforts were blunted all game as they conceded a number of penalties for holding on whilst in attacking positions, one of which was marched forward to within kicking range for dissent, on 22 minutes, but Hodgson was just wide. The fly half was soon in action with a superb piece of vision to set up the second try three minutes later. With referee Wayne Barnes playing advantage, Hodgson's angled kick was perfect for Ashton to collect and run on to finish in the right corner, but the conversion clattered the woodwork. Quins looked to narrow the arrears immediately, as Care's smart run and sharp kick forced Goode to carry into touch just ten metres out, but the Saracens' defence held firm and was able to force the penalty. Sarries were able to stretch their advantage going into the break, as two infringements in quick succession saw Goode find the target from long distance on both occasions for a 21-8 lead. Late changes in the half saw the injured Sinckler replaced by Matt Shields for Harlequins, whilst a head injury assessment for Hargreaves removed him from the action for Sarries and saw Maro Itoje enter the fray.

 

 

 

Line Ups

Saracens:

 

Harlequins:

 

Attendance: 84,068 (world record for a club game)