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Strettle haunts Harlequins by inspiring Saracens victory

David Strettle haunted his old side © Getty Images

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Saracens handed Harlequins their heaviest Premiership defeat of the season with a 26-14 victory in their clash at Vicarage Road.

Tries from former Quins winger David Strettle and hooker Schalk Brits and an accomplished display from fly-half Owen Farrell carried the hosts to a deserved victory that lifted them back into the play-off picture. An early try from winger George Lowe and the boot of No.10 Nick Evans kept Quins in touch but Saracens' superior forward effort ensured their rivals' year-long wait for a Premiership away win goes on.

Quins scored the first try of the game after just four minutes. A strong run from Saracens' Strettle had the visitors stretched but a big tackle on hooker Brits led to a loose pass that was pounced in by No.8 Tom Guest, who then flipped the ball back inside to Lowe, who raced away down the touchline for the try.

Saracens clawed three points back a few minutes later through the boot of Farrell and they had the lead soon after a strong run from fullback Chris Wyles laid the platform for a Strettle score.

Ernst Joubert and lock Mouritz Botha were both denied following the resulting scrum and centre Michael Tagicakibau was also held up just short and in the end they had to settle for another three points courtesy of Farrell's right foot.

Harlequins rallied with three points thanks to an Evans penalty but Saracens' response was swift and clinical with Brits claiming a try after a powerful catch and drive from a lineout deep inside the Quins 22. Farrell's impressive display continued with an excellent conversion. Quins stayed in touch with Evans slotting his second penalty just before the break but there was still time for Farrell to narrowly miss with his next attempt at the posts.

Tempers flared between Saracens skipper Steve Borthwick and Quins prop Joe Marler as the hosts looked to turn the screw and although the visitors weathered the storm they could not prevent Farrell extending his side's lead with an exceptional long-range penalty just short of the hour mark.

The outstanding industry of Quins captain Chris Robshaw helped his side earn the next penalty and Evans' boot reduced the deficit to single figures once again but an offside call against replacement prop Ceri Jones allowed Farrell to immediately cancel it out with his fourth penalty of the game.

Elsewhere, Wasps ran out comfortable 24-12 winners over a battling Exeter amid freezing fog at Adams Park on Sunday.

The hosts were always the more creative side scoring the only two tries of the game through Ben Broster and David Lemi. Exeter, despite all their possession, were one dimensional in attack and had to rely on four penalties from Ryan Davis for their points.

The visitors were dealt a blow just before kick off when wing Andrew Higgins picked up an injury in the warm up which ruled him out. But the Chiefs still began brightly, taking a third-minute lead when Davis kicked a penalty after Andy Powell was penalised for killing the ball at the ruck.

Within minutes Wasps were in front after a brace of penalties from Dave Walder. The home side were proving the more creative but strong defence from the Chiefs kept them at bay and it was the visitors who recorded the next score when Davis kicked another penalty to level it at 6-6 after 22 minutes.

Walder then put the home side back in front with another penalty but the fly-half was unable to extend the advantage when he badly sliced a difficult penalty attempt from close on halfway. A minute before the break Wasps scored the first try of the game, with Broster awarded the try, before Walder converted to give Wasps a deserved 16-6 interval lead.

And within five minutes of the restart Wasps went further ahead thanks to a splendid try. From a ruck near halfway a clever pass from Walder sent his three quarters away with Kefu and Mark van Gisbergen combining well to send Lemi over for a try which Walder was unable to convert.

The game seemed up for Exeter, but the Chiefs continued to battle. Despite a plentiful supply of possession, though, they could not break down the Wasps defence and it was left to Davis to kick another penalty to make it 21-9 going into the final quarter. Exeter continued to dominate in terms of both territory and possession and they were unlucky not to further reduce Wasps' lead when a penalty attempt from Davis hit the post.

The fly-half was successful with one from 45 metres to make it 21-12 with seven minutes to go, but Wasps emerged from their brief slumber to gain a position in the visitors' 22 and when Exeter were penalised Walder kicked a simple goal to seal victory.

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