Care leads the way as Quins end Saints jinx
HARLEQUINS increased the doom and gloom over Northampton by dominating a ten-try contest to win for the first time at Franklin’s Gardens in eight years.
Quins led throughout and two late tries gave the scoreline an emphatic look after Saints had staged a second-half comeback to be only 29-37 down.
However, Quins were far superior and showed up Northampton’s defensive failings which has seen Chris Boyd’s squad endure 15 defeats in 16.
Boyd afterwards ordered his squad to “roll up their sleeves” to fight their way out of the slump.
“We spent most of the match chasing the game,” he acknowledged and offered no excuses for another defeat.
If the Saints faithful had been present many might have been marching out early after the interval when Quins led 37-17.
Quins were guided to success by the guile and boot of Marcus Smith, who racked up 24 points topped off by a late try, and the experience of Danny Care and Mike Brown.
The England internationals both contributed a try each in a victory which will lift Quins after last week’s mauling by champions Exeter.
Another significant contribution came from No.8 Alex Dombrandt who was a forceful figure in 57 minutes of action topped off by his try when he ran onto Smith’s cross-kick.
Northampton grabbed a bonus point thanks to two tries from captain Lewis Ludlam and one each for Nick Isiekwe and replacement Rory Hutchinson.
Quins had dominated the first half and their allround play deserved more than a lead of 23-17 at the break.
Northampton were outplayed out wide and needed Ludlam’s first try and, just before half-time, one by Isiekwe to keep in touch.
James Grayson converted both to go alongside a penalty in the 23rd which came straight after Quins’ attacking play had made their second try, wing Nathan Earle sprinting clear after good combinations down the right.
Quins had sho wn their intentions in the se venth minute w hen the home defence was split do wn the left, the mo ve ending in Care’s try.
The scr um-half was a t the heart of Quins’ attacks and his good work was also central to a try w hich was disallowed due to a forward pass fr om wing Cadan Murley bef ore pr op Wilco Louw finished off.
Smith con verted both tries in the first half and punished Northampton further f or a high penalty count b y adding thr ee penalty goals. At one sta ge Quins led 23-10 and Northampton looked thoroughly dishear tened. T he try by Isiekwe, following a series of fierce drives, lifted the Saints.
Grayson converted to put Saints six points behind a t half-time, but Quins started the better after the br eak and two tries in thr ee minutes looked to have sealed the match.
An excellent spell of pressure br ought Br own’s try, the full-back latching speedily on to Car e’s pass , and Smith’s well-judged crosskick f ound the po werful Alex Dombrandt in space on the right.
Quins looked assured of victory at 37-17 onl y to be unsettled by a spate of substitutes, including Care and Dombrandt going off.
Northampton, buoyed by their o wn substitutes , scored two tries from closerange play through Ludlam and Hutc hinson to raise hopes of more than just a bonus point.
Quins, however, finished too str ongly and tries b y Steele and Smith g ave the scoreline the right look. Smith’s try was memorable, the fly-half demonstrating his speed and ey e for a g ap to race clear.