Saracens 40-43 Harlequins: 13-try Derby thriller sees Quins prevail in PREM Cup clash

Saracens started the game well in the first minute, as winger Brandon Jackson combined with centre Olly Hartley for the first try. Despite most of Saracens’ squad playing in the Six Nations, they remained on top, forcing Harlequins’ scrum-half Max Green into a yellow card five minutes later.

Harlequins were resilient with the man disadvantage, as a Jamie Bensen chip-and-chase over the Saracens defence saw centre Bryn Bradley touchdown for five points. This game was a chance for the young players to prove themselves, and they had taken it so far as two academy graduates scored early in what looked to be a high-energy game.

The defence then took over for a few minutes, with some big hits from both teams’ back rows, before young scrum-half Charlie Bracken, son of former Saracen and 2003 Rugby World Cup winner Kyran, touched down a move off the back of a scrum. Bracken started Saracens’ previous game against Newcastle, with many fans online vocal for that change to happen in the last few weeks.

Harlequins replied almost instantly in the 19th minute, as stand-in captain Jack Musk ran 15 metres to score in the corner, before Harry Browne scored another 10 minutes later for the visitors after a period of dominance. It was clear that both sides wanted to play some flowing, expansive rugby, as many of the tries have come in the corners of the pitch.

Harlequins pushed their lead out further, as a poorly placed Bracken box kick lost yards, allowing centre Ludo Kolade to capitalise on the bouncing ball and score under the posts. Heading into half-time, Harlequins were up 19 points, as full-back Josh Bellamy scored their fifth try at the 40-minute mark, with spectators getting their money’s worth after watching a half of end-to-end rugby.

It was a slow start after half-time, both sides trying to gain a few metres with every possession through the use of their forwards, a switch from the passing style that was shown in the first half. The second-half deadlock was broken via Bordeaux-bound Tom Willis, as a lineout was pushed all the way towards the line in the 51^st minute.

Conditions had started to worsen in the 55^th, as a slow flow of rain started to fall. That didn’t stop Saracens though, as Olly Hartley broke through the defensive line to score on what is his 50^th appearance for a club he has been at since 2022, bringing Saracens five points away from Harlequins.

Saracens’ dominance in the second half continued, as recently brought on Nick Tompkins scored under the posts, a similar try to his centre partner Hartley, giving Saracens the lead for the first time since the ninth minute. The lead was short-lived, with Harlequins Oisin McCormack scoring the 11^th try in this topsy-turvy game. And as the clock neared the final 10-minute mark, both teams were hungry for a win.

Harlequins’ Jamie Miller was given a pivotal yellow card in the 73^rd minute as constant Saracens pressure led to many penalties conceded by the visitors. That yellow card gave the North London side some confidence when Seva Kava scored on his professional debut to leave Saracens two points ahead with four minutes to go. However, with just moments left in this thrilling game between two rivals,14-man Harlequins scored a 16-phase try to leave the StoneX Stadium with the win.

That was their first win in the Prem Rugby cup, whilst Saracens stay second in the five-team group.

15. Angus Hall 14. Finn Keylock 13. Alex Lozowski 12. Olly Hartley 11. Brandon Jackson 10. Louie Johnson 9. Charlie Bracken 1. Phil Brantingham 2. James Hadfield 3. Vilikesa Nairau 4. Nick Isiekwe 5. Tayo Adegbemile 6. Nathan Michelow (Captain) 7. Charlie West 8. Tom Willis

16. Eoghan Clarke 17. Alex O’Driscoll 18. Harvey Beaton 19. Mathis Dehauteur 20. Reggie Hammick 21. Gareth Simpson 22. Nick Tompkins 23. Seva Kava

15. Josh Bellamy 14. Cameron Anderson 13. Ludo Kolade 12. Bryn Bradley 11. Cassius Cleaves 10. Jamie Benson 9. Max Green 1. Ethan Clarke 2. Jack Musk (Captain) 3. Harry Williams 4. Harry Browne 5. Jonny Green 6. Oisin McCormack 7. Seb Driscoll 8. Tom Lawday

16. Jack Doorey-Palmer 17. Jamie Miller 18. Luke Yendle 19. Barny Langton-Cryer 20. Zach Carr 21. Jake Murray 22. Connor Slevin 23. Hayden Hyde

This game had many academy graduates in both teams’ 23, so fans were expecting tries. And they did not disappoint, as 13 tries were scored in 80 minutes, with the game being very end-to-end in large parts of it. Many players performed well today and will be hopeful of being picked for a Prem game in the future.

It took Harlequins five games to record their first win in this year’s Prem Rugby Cup, and it couldn’t have come sweeter as they beat their closest rivals through a final-minute try. Both teams didn’t deserve to lose, but the visitors were just more clinical.

If you were to pick a standout player from either team before the game, it would be Tom Willis. He was relatively quiet in the first half, despite some huge tackles, but it was the second half where he came into life. He scored an excellent try from a lineout in the second half, and a few huge carries, which breathed confidence into the Saracens team. Saracens will miss him playing week in, week out when he goes over to France to play for Bordeaux Beagles.

Charlie Bracken has started the past few games and played excellently, even finding himself a try today. However, he needed to be helped off in the 2^nd half, which could seem worrying for some Saracens fans. They still have the reliable Ivan Van Zyl, and Welsh international Tomos Williams coming in next summer, but Bracken will be a big miss.

Bryn Bradley and Olly Hartley were by far the best players on the pitch today, doing the little bits correctly whilst also carrying hard and both scoring deserved tries. A nice battle to watch throughout the game

Scored Harlequin’s first try of the day after Jamie Benson caught his chip and chase, he carried for numerous amount of yards whilst also recognising the right time to spread it down the line. Should be happy with the win and his performance today.

Both 12s played very well, and especially Olly Hartley on his 50^th game for Saracens. Carried hard, found the gap in the defensive line to score his try, and supported well if there was a kick over the top. He’s been on the fringes at Saracens for a while now and he’ll be hoping to break into the 23 regularly soon.

Made lots of right choices at fly half today and must have learnt a thing or two from Marcus Smith, as there were two successful chip and chases, one being turned into a try. Conversion kicking wasn’t completely 100%, but still enough to win.