Premiership: Northampton 23-9 Harlequins

NORTHAMPTON (6) 23

  • Tries: North, Hartley
  • Cons: Myler 2
  • Pens: Myler 3

HARLEQUINS (6) 9

  • Pens: Evans 2, Botica

Northampton Saints are top of the Premiership following a hard-fought victory over Harlequins.

Northampton's Stephen Myler and Quins' Nick Evans both kicked two penalties as the sides were level at 6-6 at half-time.

George North's excellent try put Saints ahead and Myler added the extras.

Ben Botica's penalty for the visitors made for a tense finish, but Myler added a penalty and then a conversation after Dylan Hartley's try.

The Saints made a strong start and their early pressure led to Myler's first successful penalty of the night, but Harlequins hit straight back through Evans.

Evans then kicked the visitors into a 6-3 lead from in front of the posts as they came close to the try-line with a spell of dominance.

Harlequins lost Tom Guest to a yellow card, but Northampton could only take advantage just as he returned from the sin bin as Myler's kick ensured Saints tied the game at the break.

North's solo try as he powered through the Harlequins backline on the left-hand side put Saints ahead five minutes into the second half and Myler added the extras.

Myler missed a straightforward penalty and a chance to give the home side a 10-point lead and Botica's successful effort closed the gap to four.

But Myler's third successful penalty of the night from four attempts calmed any nerves and Paul Doran-Jones was quickly sent to the sin bin.

Hartley's try was referred to the TMO but was deemed good and Myler's conversation hit the bar and looped over.

More to follow.

FRIDAY'S LINE-UPS

Northampton: Collins; Elliott, G. Pisi, Burrell, North; Myler, Dickson; Waller, Hartley (capt), Ma'afu; Lawes, Day; Clark, Dowson, Manoa.

Replacements: Haywood, Waller, Mercey, Dickinson, Wood, Fotuali'i, Dickson, Autagavaia.

Harlequins: Brown; Walker, Hopper, Molenaar, Smith; Evans, Dickson; Marler, Ward, Collier; Matthews, Robson; Guest, Robshaw (capt), Easter.

Replacements: Crumpton, Lambert, Doran Jones, Kennedy, Trayfoot, Stuart, Botica, Lindsay-Hague.