Zurich Premiership: Quins beaten by Saracens

Saracens moved three places up the Zurich Premiership table to sixth after a 39-25 victory over west London rivals Harlequins.

The writing was on the wall for Harlequins after only a minute when Australian World Cup centre Tim Horan went over in the right-hand corner after a pass from winger Gerald Arasa.

South African fly-half Jannie De Beer was unable to convert and if he had been in form with the boot the margin of victory could have been much greater.

Harlequins very briefly threatened to get back into the game. A Paul Burke drop goal and then a penalty gave the visitors a narrow lead, but it lasted only a few minutes before De Beer landed a goal from 48 metres.

Saracens went further in front midway through the first half when Adryan Winnan collected his own kick ahead for the home side's second try and, with De Beer converting, Saracens were in command at 15-6.

Burke pulled back a penalty for the visitors.

Two more tries before the break - the first from Tony Roques converted by De Beer, and the second four minutes from the break from hooker Robbie Russell - earned Saracens a bonus point before half-time and was also the first time that they have scored more than three tries all season.

A penalty on half-time from visitors' fly-half Burke and two further penalties early in the second period threatened to make a game of it before a clinching home try after 57 minutes sealed the result.

Scrum-half Kyran Bracken made a break in midfield and out-paced flank forward Tu Tamarua after Bracken had kicked ahead to score under the posts, and De Beer's conversion made it 34-18 and left no way back for the visitors.

Saracens added a sixth try five minutes from the end when, after a series of line-outs, number eight Ben Cole was driven over for an unconverted score.

But this led to the home side using their three remaining replacements and in the closing stages the visitors scored a consolation try through England centre Will Greenwood.

He accepted a Kevin Sorrell pass and Burke's conversion narrowed the gap to 14 points, but it was a rare treat for the visitors who were well beaten on the day.