Benson inspires stunning Quins comeback against Saracens

Jamie Benson played a pivotal part in Harlequins' comeback, kicking 13 points

Gallagher Premiership

Saracens (12) 12

Tries: McFarland, Elliott. Con: Lozowski.

Harlequins (0) 23

Tries: Waghorn, Porter Cons: Benson 2 Pens: Benson 3

Half-time substitute Jamie Benson inspired a second-half comeback as Harlequins moved back into the Premiership's top four with a hard-fought 23-12 London derby victory against Saracens.

Despite going into this derby as underdogs and having rested some of their big guns after Six Nations duty, Quins recovered from a poor first half to charge back into the match having gone in at the break pointless and 12-0 down.

The spark came from the boot of 22-year-old fly-half Benson, who converted Ben Waghorn's try on 63 minutes then nervelessly kicked three penalties to give Quins a 16-12 lead with four minutes to go.

Will Porter's converted try in the dying seconds in front of a packed crowd at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium confirmed a superb win, Quins' first against Saracens away from home since 2012.

Benson's match-winning show delivered the perfect response to those who framed this as a mis-match given Sarries welcomed back several of their international stars following Six Nations duty while Quins rested some of theirs.

While Saracens had England trio Maro Itoje, Jamie George and Tom Willis, and Wales centre Nick Tompkins, back in black shirts, Quins remained without fly-half Marcus Smith, Fin Baxter and Chandler Cunningham-South.

Yet Quins coach Danny Wilson clearly knew what he was doing and, if in Benson –  who interrupted his professional career to complete a degree at Cambridge University – he had the game-changer, while in winger Nick David, flanker Jack Kellingham and scrum-half Porter he also had the front rank of contenders for man of the match.

At half-time there were few who believed Wilson had not got his selection wrong though with Saracens capitalising on an error-strewn performance from Harlequins which demanded changes.

Quins had gone behind early after Alex Dombrandt gifted the ball with a loose pass inside hard up against the left touchline deep in Sarries territory. A quick break up field later with his side were defending their goalline, George's quick tap penalty caught them napping with Theo McFarland barging over.

It was typical of Harlequins first-half performance – possession, territory, followed by mistake, forward pass or knock on. And when brilliantly quick hands from Alex Goode fed Fergus Burke and Tobias Elliott who went over in the corner to give a 12-0 lead just before the break, it looked like it was going to be a long day for Quins.

However, the second half proved to be the opposite of the first, with Saracens forced into mistakes and Quins dominant.

Wilson had shuffled his pack at half-time and threw the ace on to the table in Benson, whose nerveless kicking display turned the match in Quins' favour.

Oscar Beard's break and inside pass on the hour mark was finished off by Waghorn, a try converted by Benson from just to the left of the posts to make it 12-7.

Saracens were immediately handed a chance to stretch their lead to eight points when referee Adam Leal penalised dissent from Quins and moved a penalty 10 metres nearer from halfway.

But, in what proved to be a pivotal moment, Alex Lozowski missed from 40 metres.

Benson made no mistake when Sarries were penalised at the breakdown five minutes later, banging it over low from 40 metres on 68 minutes to put Quins within two points.

And when black shirts were adjudged to have not rolled away after another three minutes had elapsed, he did it again from five metres further out.

If a one-point advantage at 13-12 still felt precarious, a penalty for a dangerous tackle from Lozowski delivered another chance for Benson which he kicked to make it 16-12. Porter's last-minute converted try delivered what, in the end, was a comfortable victory.

The win lifted Quins into fourth place in the Premiership table with six matches of the season remaining, while Saracens are seventh, two points off a play-off spot.

Resting international players 'worked for us' - reaction

Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall told BBC Radio London:

"We spent a lot of time down our end but I was pleased with how we defended and we obviously had a good lead at half-time. But there were things in our game like our lineout and the crumbs you get off the kicking game, where they were the dominant team in those areas.

"We were trying to play off scraps and we made the wrong choices at times but things which are normally very strong parts of our game were not quite on point today and it cost us.

"We have clear things we have to get better at. We have to understand why we were poor today. It is a bit of a test for us as a group. It doesn't have to be the end of anything there are six games to go and it is on all of us to work really hard."

Harlequins head coach Danny Wilson told PA Sport:

"I'm really proud of this group considering a few people would have had something to say about not selecting our three internationals and giving them the week off.

"Last season we put too much pressure on our internationals to return. Think about what the Six Nations is for an international rugby player – physically, mentally and the big one we all forget is emotionally.

"So we felt give them a rest straight away regardless of who we are playing. I know it doesn't work for everyone, but it worked for us.

"It's been 13 years since we beat Saracens away and we have done the double on them this season, which is massive.

"Now we have to back it up. We have got Bath away and Leinster away. To come out of here with points is vital, but now let's see what we can do."

Saracens: Daly; Elliott, Lozowski, Tompkins, Segun; Burke, Van Zyl; Mawi, George, Riccioni, Itoje (capt), Tizard, McFarland, Gonzalez, Willis.

Replacements: Dan, Brantingham, Clarey, Isiekwe, Onyeama-Christie, Michelow, Simpson, Goode.

Harlequins: Halfpenny; Isgro, Beard, Waghorn, David; J Evans, Porter; Jones, Walker, Lamositele, Launchbury, Lewies, Kenningham, W Evans, Dombrandt (capt).

Replacements: Riley, Els, Hobson, Herbst, Hammond, Murray, Benson, Green.

Referee: Adam Leal