Aviva Premiership: Owen Farrell kicks Quins’ record into touch

Owen Farrell

Owen Farrell’s perfect accuracy with the boot led Saracens to a terrific 18-16 win at The Stoop, where Harlequins’ 100% Aviva Premiership record was ended.

Quins were left to rue five missed kicks from Nick Evans as they lost for their first time this season following four straight wins, with Sarries earning a third win of the campaign thanks to six successful kicks from six attempts from the excellent Farrell.

Danny Care had scored Harlequins’ and the game’s only try, but Farrell kept his cool with his final penalty attempt to seal the victory with seven minutes remaining.

Evans kicked his first penalty after just two minutes but had missed two more by the time the match reached the 10 minute mark, and that allowed Farrell and Saracens an opening that they weren’t going to pass up.

Farrell kicked his first penalty to level the scores, and then after another three-pointer from Evans the Saracens No. 10 kicked two more to give his side a 9-6 lead.

Coach Mark McCall would have wanted to take that lead into half-time, but the controversial Care soon went over for the only try of the match to give Harlequins the lead, with Evans’ conversion extending it to 13-9 by the break.

Farrell’s penalty immediately brought Saracens to within one point of their hosts at the start of the period, and that kicked off a nightmare kicking half for Evans, who missed a penalty either side of another successful Farrell kick which put his side back into the lead.

Evans was finally successful 14 minutes from time to put Harlequins back in front, but he missed another kick eight minutes from time, opening the door for Farrell to put Saracens 18-16 ahead a minute later, and this time they held on.

In Sunday's other game, Gloucester ran out 31-25 winners over London Welsh in a thrilliang game at the Kassam Stadium.

Gordon Ross kicked 20 points for Welsh, but replacement Shaun Knight sealed victory for Gloucester when he crossed with seven minutes to go, with Freddie Burns taking his tally to 13 points by nailing the conversion.

Mark Jones – follow me on twitter

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