Match Centre: Gallagher Premiership: Northampton Saints 33-29 Harlequins

Northampton Saints 33-29 Harlequins, cinch Stadium @ Franklin's Gardens

Northampton Saints overcame a strong challenge from Harlequins to secure a 33-29 victory in Round 3 of the 2024/25 Gallagher Premiership season at cinch Stadium, Franklin’s Gardens.

The hard-fought win extends the Saints’ impressive home record and keeps them on track for another competitive season.

Fast-Paced Start for Both Sides

Harlequins wasted no time in putting pressure on the reigning champions, scoring inside the first 90 seconds. Hooker Jack Walker crashed over the line following a pinpoint kick from Marcus Smith to the corner, and Smith added the extras to take an early 7-0 lead. However, Saints responded quickly, with prop Emmanuel Iyogun powering through from a 5-meter penalty and Fin Smith’s conversion leveling the scores at 7-7 just three minutes later.

Quins continued to dominate the first quarter, with Joseph and Anyanwu both held up over the line in the 8th and 14th minutes, respectively. The visitors’ pressure finally paid off when fullback Marcus Smith sliced through the Saints’ defense in the 19th minute for a try, which he also converted to make it 14-7.

End-to-End Action as Both Teams Trade Scores

Northampton responded again in the 22nd minute with a try from Ollie Sleightholme down the left wing, restoring parity at 14-14. Quins reclaimed the lead almost immediately as Marcus Smith dotted down in the opposite corner just four minutes later, although his touchline conversion attempt sailed wide, leaving the score at 19-14.

Smith extended the lead further with a penalty in the 30th minute, taking Quins to a 22-14 advantage at halftime.

Second-Half Comeback Seals Victory for Saints

The Saints came out firing after the break and were quickly awarded a penalty try following a high tackle by Nick David, which resulted in a yellow card for the Quins player. This brought the score to 21-22, with the champions trailing by just a point.

Playing with a man advantage, Northampton’s Sam Graham crossed the line in the 52nd minute to score a converted try, putting Saints ahead 28-22. Sleightholme added his second try of the match in the 62nd minute, breaking through to extend the Saints' lead to 33-22.

Despite the setback, Harlequins fought back, with Will Porter bursting through for a try next to the posts in the 72nd minute. Marcus Smith's successful conversion brought the score to 33-29, setting up a tense finish.

Team line up

Northampton: Furbank; Freeman, Dingwall, Hutchinson, Sleightholme; F Smith, James; Iyogun, Langdon, Davison; Munga, Coles; Kemeny, Pearson, Graham.

Reserves: R Smith, West, Green, Mayanavanua, Pollock, McParland, Seabrook, Ramm.

Harlequins: M Smith; David, Joseph, Anyanwu, Beard; Evans, Care; Baxter, Walker, Lamositele; Herbst, Lewies; Kenningham, Evans, Cunningham-South.

Reserves: Jibulu, Els, Lewis, Lamb, Chisholm, Porter, Bradley, Anderson.