Northampton beat Harlequins to extend unbeaten run

James Pater of Northampton Saints scores his team's fourth try during the Prem Rugby Cup match against Harlequins Getty Images

James Pater made his debut for Northampton when he was just 17

Prem Rugby Cup

Northampton (12) 26

Tries: Rowe, Graham, Brown, Pater Cons: Belleau (3) Pens:

Harlequins (10) 17

Tries: Cleaves, Hyde, Driscoll Cons: Slevin Pens:

Northampton Saints continued their winning run in all competitions with a straightforward 26-17 Prem Rugby Cup victory over Harlequins at Cinch Stadium at Franklin's Gardens.

With both teams fielding inexperienced sides, debutant Tom Rowe was the first on the board for the Saints, scoring in the corner after James Pater's break before Cassius Cleaves responded after a long period of Quins pressure.

As the crowd showed their impatience at the lengthy scrum resets, Saints attacked again with Fyn Brown held up over the line after good work from Sam Graham.

Not to be denied, Graham then forced his way over close to the posts to restore Saints' lead as half-time beckoned.

Cassius Cleaves of Harlequins on his way to scoring his team's first try during the Prem Rugby Cup match against Northampton Getty Images

Cassius Cleaves scored Quins' first try in a scrappy first half

Hayden Hyde then scored against the run of play. Following a successful pick and drive, the ball was kicked over the top by Jamie Benson with the young winger beating Pater to the ball to dot down in the corner.

But Quins were not in touching distance for long.

First, Brown took advantage of a powerful Saints drive to come round the corner and score before Anthony Belleau showed his class, evading Quins' defenders to feed the deserving Pater to go over for the bonus point score.

The game drifted from that point on but debutant Seb Driscoll restored some measure of pride for Quins as the game came to a close - diving under the posts for the visitors' third.

The result moves Saints up to second in Pool B, while Quins remain bottom.

Northampton Saints: Pater; Rowe, Lumley, Thame, Caqusau; Belleau, Weimann; Scola, Manfredi, Green; Prowse, Munya, Benson, Brown, Graham (c).

Replacements: Walker, West, Tonga'uiha, Bennett, Ainsworth-Cave, James, Pasco, Hendy.

Yellow card: Munga.

Harlequins: Anderson; Hyde, McMillan, Kerr, Cleaves; Benson, Green (c); Kerrod, Riley, Lamositele, Browne, Green, Carr, Driscoll, Schmid.

Replacements: Staples, Hobson, Streeter, E. Williams, T. Williams, Murray, Slevin, Bellamy.

Referee: Alex Thomas.

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