Musk Double Propels Harlequins To Victory

There was never much chance of a dull, try-less slugging match between two sides fully committed to playing their rugby on the front foot.

- Robert Kitson

Rugby union

Harlequins - 35

Northampton - 29

Sure enough the result was another wildly fluctuating try-fest, with Harlequins surviving a concerted final-quarter comeback from a Northampton team who registered four tries but could conceivably have scored twice as many.

Quins, who have now scored 20 tries in their four league games so far, had been leading 35-15 with 12 minutes left with the hooker Jack Musk contributing two tries and the centre Luke Northmore impressing once again. Last-quarter tries from George Furbank and Tom James, however, propelled the Saints right back into the game and only a desperate late turnover saved the hosts from last-gasp embarrassment.

It made for a nine-try thriller on a lovely sunny afternoon but a few Saints players will not be in any huge rush to check out the highlights. Alex Coles, Alex Mitchell, Rory Hutchinson and Lewis Ludlam could all have scored or set up vital tries for the visitors which, in the final analysis, proved crucial.