Aviva Premiership: Northampton beat Harlequins 30-25 at Twickenham
Last Updated: 28/12/14 12:55pm
Defending champions Northampton maintained their lead at the top of the English Premiership with an impressive 30-25 victory over Harlequins in front of 82,000 fans at Twickenham on Saturday.
Quins took an early 8-0 lead and were the much better side in the first half but they could not take advantage, even when the Saints lost Salesi Ma'afu to the sin-bin.
The second half was a more even affair but Northampton were the more clinical side and came away with victory.
Northampton's tries came from Samu Manoa, George North and Kahn Fotuali'i with Stephen Myler kicking three penalties and three conversions.
Harlequins responded with tries from George Lowe, Jack Clifford and Sam Twomey with Tim Swiel kicking two penalties and two conversions.
Quins took the lead after five minutes with a splendid try. From a line-out on half-way, Lowe made a huge break, brushing aside a weak tackle from Myler, to take his side into the opposition 22. Care made a quick dart to put the Saints further on the back foot before a long pass from Marland Yarde enabled Lowe to squeeze in at the corner.
Swiel missed the conversion but minutes later kicked a penalty before Saints got on the scoreboard with a Myler penalty. The outside-half could have kicked another goal but Saints chose an attacking line-out as opposed to the option of another three points. They were immediately rewarded when Manoa drove over for the try which Myler converted for Northampton to lead 10-8 at the end of the first quarter.
That score line was against the run of play as Quins had 75 per cent of possession and territory in that opening 20 minutes with Mike Brown and Lowe causing the visitors' defence major problems with their creative running.
After 33 minutes, Northampton suffered a blow when Ma'afu was shown a yellow card for a high tackle on Lowe but despite this setback, Saints extended their lead when Myler kicked his second penalty to give them a 13-8 interval lead.
Charge down try
Early in the second half, Manoa was penalised for not releasing but Swiel could not take advantage, pushing his kick well wide. Moments later Swiel made another error as his clearance was charged down by Manoa. The No 8 picked up the loose ball to send North over for the try which Myler converted.
Ma'afu returned from the sin-bin and his side nearly extended the lead when a careless pass from Care was intercepted by Ken Pisi. The wing had a long but clear run to the line but Swiel managed to bring Pisi down with a tap tackle.
Swiel and Myler exchanged penalties as Northampton attempted to keep a grip on the game with internationals Kahn Fotuali'i and Alex Corbisiero being introduced from the bench.
However the hosts got back into contention when Swiel made a neat break and was hauled down inches short. Harlequins maintained their momentum for Clifford to cleverly step inside North for a try which Swiel converted to leave Northampton 23-18 ahead at the end of the third quarter.
Saints had three chances to extend that lead but chose line-outs in preference to kicks at goal. It proved to be the wrong call as Corbisiero lost possession as he dived over.
After 71 minutes, Northampton's forward dominance was rewarded when Fotuali'I crashed over but Quins had the final say when replacement Twomey scored their third try converted by Swiel.
