Saracens Spoil Quins' Christmas Party

28 December 2011

It was a record-breaking, sell-out crowd of 82,000 which packed out Twickenham and was royally entertained by the top two teams in the Premiership. Sadly for Quins, their Christmas cake was not to be iced in multi-colours as last year's champions ran out 11-19 winners on the day.

After the voices of the X-Factor and Camilla Kerslake rang out around the stadium, fireworks marked Quins's arrival on the pitch, greeted by a rapturous and expectant audience. However, it was the visitors who got the scoreboard ticking over and were to take an early 0-9 lead with three penalties.

Nick Evans answered with a Quins penalty, but an interception try from ex-Quin, David Strettle, off a wayward Marler pass, put Saracens further ahead. Owen Farrell duly converted.

Quins hit back just before half time with another penalty to make it 6-19 at half time.

Expectations were high and Quins hit the second half running, taking the game to Saracens, earning a try from Joe Marler on 49 minutes. Unfortunately, Nick Evans could not make the conversion and that was the last time, despite heavy Quins possession and a number of chances, that either side would trouble the scorers.

Full Time: 11-19

(Report courtesy of Harlequins official website)