BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | English | Saracens earn late success

Saracens 36-30 Harlequins

Saracens left it late before claiming a crucial try to clinch victory over Harlequins.

Right at the death, Tim Horan made 40 metres and Andy Kershaw dived over from close range.

Fly-half Andy Goode dispatched the conversion to ensure the home side's victory.

Going into the game, Saracens had lost their last three matches in a row but they began the game strongly with three tries.

It needs special people to be leaders and we haven't got a lot of those at this club

Saracens coach Wayne Shelford

Goode set the ball rolling after only a couple of minutes with a penalty while Kyran Bracken got the first try soon after which Goode converted to give his side a 10-0 lead.

Six minutes later Saracens went further in front when Horan ran 40 metres in a loop into the open side to run in for an outstanding score.

Goode added a penalty inside 14 minutes to put the home side 18 points clear and firmly in command.

Quins, seeking their first away Premiership victory for over 20 months, fought back with a Nathan Williams penalty after 24 minutes.

Harlequins Nick Duncombe claimed a second-half try
Nick Duncombe gave Quins hope

But Goode restored the 18-point advantage after a foul by Ben Gollings while Horan claimed his side's third try after 31 minutes.

Tries by Matt Jones, Andre Vos and Nick Duncombe helped bring the scores to within four points.

Goode landed a penalty while Matt Moore went in for his second try and Nathan Williams landed a penalty with four minutes remaining to give Quins a chance of victory.

However Kershaw and Goode had the final say to put Saracens back on track again.

Saracens: Winnan, Haughton, Sorrell, Horan, O'Mahony, Goode, Bracken, Flatman, Cairns, Califano, Benazzi, Yandell, Chesney, Roques, B. Russell.
Replacements: Kershaw, Marsters, Hooper, Quinnell, Peacey, Williams, Sparg.

Harlequins: N. Williams, Moore, Satala, Greenstock, Gollings, D. Slemen, Duncombe, Starr, Wood, Gomez, Davison, Codling, Tiatia, Vos, Diprose.
Replacements: Fuga, Cardinalli, Evans, Sheriff, Bemand, Jewell, Fitzgerald.

Referee: Roy Maybank (RFU)


	Links to more English stories