Marcus Smith Scores on 200th Harlequins Appearance as Quins Beat Saracens 33-15

Harlequins beat Saracens 33-15 in a London derby at The Stoop on Sunday, their first win of the Premiership season. Marcus Smith marked his 200th appearance for the club by scoring the opening try.

The match kicked off at 15:00 at the Twickenham ground. Before the game, Smith had been set to become the second-youngest Harlequins player to reach 200 appearances, a milestone he reached in the best possible way.

Harlequins were comfortably ahead at half-time, leading 26-10. Their tries came from Smith, Driscoll, Murley and Porter, plus a penalty try. A penalty try is awarded when the referee believes a try would have been scored had an illegal act not stopped it, so Quins were handed one without the ball touching the ground. Smith also kicked three conversions, the extra kicks worth two points that follow a try.

Saracens had their moments. Rotimi Segun, Theo Dan and Nick Tompkins all crossed the line for the visitors. But the game was hard going for them after Ben Earl was sent to the sin bin, a ten-minute spell off the field, in the 24th minute. Fergus Burke followed him into the bin in the 36th minute.

The result leaves Harlequins still bottom of the Premiership, England's top club competition. They are now one point behind Exeter and Newcastle, though, and the win gives them something to build on after a slow start. Saracens are fifth, five points behind leaders Gloucester.