Anglo Welsh Cup: Harlequins surge late to beat Saracens 30-29

James Lang's nerveless conversion deep into injury time completed a sensational comeback for Harlequins as they kicked off their Anglo-Welsh Cup campaign with a 30-29 win at Saracens.

Tries from Harry Sloan, Alofa Alofa and Elia Elia looked to have been in vain as Quins battled back from a 26-5 deficit but Josh Ibuanokpe dotted down late on and Lang split the posts to register a remarkable comeback.

Jack Nay, Nathan Earle and Tom Whiteley all crossed for the Aviva Premiership leaders, with 20-year-old fly-half Max Malins scoring 14-points.

With both sides missing several regulars because of international duty, only Nick Tompkins remained from Saracens' win over London Irish, while Harlequins made 12 changes in their line-up.

Having gone behind to an early Malins' penalty, Quins struck back through Sloan, who was put through by Lang after Ben Glynn stole possession inside Saracens' 22.

The away side were constantly let down by their discipline at the breakdown in the first half and two further Malins penalties put Saracens back on top.

Nay extended the lead in the 36th minute when he broke clean through in midfield, shrugged off the attentions of Tim Visser and Gabriel Ibitoye and tumbled over the line. Malins added the extras.

Christopher Tolofua and Will Skelton then combined early in the second half to send Earle over in the corner for his fourth score of the season.

Saracens' third try came when captain Ben Earl seized on a loose ball, charged 30 yards through an open defence and fed Whiteley who completed the easiest of finishes.

Samoan international Alofa pulled a try back for Quins when he bundled his way through three tackles to stretch over from close range and Lang converted.

Relentless Harlequins pressure was rewarded when Alofa's countryman Elia dotted down in the corner to cut the gap to nine, but Lang could not convert.

A minute later, Whiteley's phenomenal try-saving tackle on full-back Visser prevented the Scot from scoring as he was about to touch down out wide.

Lang then traded penalties with Malins before the Quins kicker converted another from the tee to put his side within a converted try of victory.

And long after the clock hit the red, substitute Ibuanokpe dug through a raft of bodies to score, with Lang's conversion stealing victory for Harlequins.

On Saturday, there were four fixtures in the competition with Exeter, Leicester, Newcastle and Bath all claiming wins.

Round-up

EXETER 43-28 NORTHAMPTON

Exeter began their Anglo-Welsh Cup campaign in style with seven tries in a 43-28 win over Northampton at Sandy Park.

Toby Salmon scored two tries for the Chiefs, with James Short, Alec Hepburn, James Freeman, Tom O'Flaherty and Elvis Taione also on the scoresheet.

Joe Simmonds added four conversions.

Saints, who could not recover from losing three players in the opening 15 minutes, responded with two tries from Juan Pablo Estelles and one each from George Furbank and Rory Hutchinson. Stephen Myler and James Grayson both added two conversions.

LEICESTER TIGERS 26-24 GLOUCESTER

Defending champions Leicester Tigers made a winning start to the competition after Gloucester fly-half Lloyd Evans missed an easy penalty with four minutes left.

Trailing 26-24, Gloucester were awarded a penalty 30-metres in front of the posts but Evans, who had kicked nine-points, poked it wide and Leicester held on to win their opening match at home.

Tigers scored three tries through Charlie Thacker, Jonah Holmes and Adam Thompstone, while Paddy McAllister, Ben Vellacott and Tom Hudson replied for Gloucester.

Fred Tuilagi, the 20-year-old nephew of England centre Manu and son of former Tigers star Freddie, made his first start in a much-changed Leicester team. He is the fifth Tuilagi to play for the first team after Freddie, Henry, Alesana and Manu.

WASPS 41-53 NEWCASTLE

Newcastle won their tie against Wasps after a thrilling 14-try 53-41 contest.

Following an early Falcons penalty from Craig Willis, two tries within two minutes gave the hosts the advantage in a frantic opening period.

First Jack Willis went under the posts with Rob Miller adding the conversion. Then two minutes later the Falcons were caught cold when debutant Aaron O'Sullivan crossed in the corner.

In the 19th minute, the home side added a third try when a break from Brendan Macken saw him offload to Owain James, whose pace saw him sneak over to stretch the lead to 19-3.

The Falcons hit back quickly as a solo try from winger Adam Radwan saw him outpace the Wasps' defence to go under the posts, with Craig Willis' conversion blocked.

A catch and drive saw hooker Santiago Socino peel-off and force himself over the line to make it 19-15 before Newcastle regained the lead as replacement Simon Uzokwe's quick side-step saw him create the space for the try - with Craig Willis converting.

A late penalty from Wasps' Miller saw the teams go into the break level at 22-22 but a try early in the second-half from Guy Armitage saw the home side back in front.

Both sides went score-for-score in the second-half before Uzokwe claimed his second try to secure Newcastle victory.

LONDON IRISH 22-26 BATH

Fly-half Freddie Burns landed 16-points as Bath got off to a flyer in the competition with a 26-22 win over London Irish at the Madejski Stadium.

Burns kicked four penalties and converted tries by centre Ben Tapuai and wing Levi Davis against the battling hosts.

Yet, despite scoring four tries, two from flanker Max Northcote-Green and one each from skipper and hooker David Paice and wing Alex Lewington, Irish came up short.