Harlequins have beaten Northampton for the first time since 2013
By Mark Crellin
Last Updated: 08/10/16 5:56pm
Alofa Alofa marked his first start for his new club with a try as Harlequins secured a deserved 20-9 Aviva Premiership win over Northampton at The Twickenham Stoop.
The hosts were on top for much of the contest and have now climbed above Saints to eighth in the table, after making it three wins from six matches this term.
Quins made a bright start but failed to capitalise, as fly-half Nick Evans was only able to covert one of three early penalties the hosts earned.
However, the Londoners then scored a beautiful try after 11 minutes when they attacked down the left following a set-piece and some lovely passing involving Evans and Tim Visser ended with Alofa racing away down the left-wing to score.
However, Evans missed the subsequent conversion and Stephen Myler got the visitors on the board with a penalty.
But Quins were then somewhat unfortunate not to bag another try, Karl Dickson acrobatically touching down a Visser kick-ahead but not quite able to ground the whole ball in play.
Northampton got a foothold in the match at that point but, having pulled them to within two points with a second penalty, Myler hit the post with another and then put another one wide just before the interval.
Evans had to be taken off at half-time and his replacement Tim Swiel was soon into the action, kicking a penalty to make it 11-6 to Quins after Calum Clark was penalised for hands in the ruck.
Man of the match Kyle Sinckler then powered forwards to set up a good attacking position and a long Swiel pass sent Luke Wallace over down the left, but the try was disallowed because Visser obstructed Ken Pisi as he tried to get over and make a tackle.
Myler then closed the gap to 14-9 with quarter of an hour left but Quins were impressive in the closing stages, setting up camp in the Northampton half.
Swier landed another three-pointer to give them breathing space after another dynamic charge from Sinckler and he then made it 20-9 in the dying minutes, after prop Adam Jones had won the penalty, to jubilant roars from the home crowd.
Having begun the day second from bottom, a first win over Northampton since May 2013 was very welcome for Quins, who were dealt a blow before kick-off when England prop Joe Marler withdrew due to a back spasm.
