Northampton……..29pts
Tries: Ludlam 10, 66, Isiekwe 39, Hutchinson 58
Conversions: Grayson 10, 39, Mallinder 58
Penalties: Grayson 23
Harlequins …………49pts
Tries: Care 7, Earle 22, Brown 48, Dombrandt 53, Steele 72, Smith 79
Conversions: Smith 7, 22, 48, 53, 79
Penalties: Smith 18, 28, 32
HARLEQUINS increased the doom and gloom over Northampton by dominating a ten-try contest to win for the first time at Franklin's Gardens in eight years.
Quins led throughout and two late tries gave the scoreline an emphatic look after Saints had staged a second-half comeback to be only 29-37 down.
However, Quins were far superior and showed up Northampton's defensive failings which has seen Chris Boyd's squad endure 15 defeats in 16.
Boyd afterwards ordered his squad to “roll up their sleeves” to fight their way out of the slump.
“We spent most of the match chasing the game,” he acknowledged and offered no excuses for another defeat.
If the Saints faithful had been present many might have been marching out early after the interval when Quins led 37-17.
Quins were guided to success by the guile and boot of Marcus Smith, who racked up 24 points topped off by a late try, and the experience of Danny Care and Mike Brown.
The England internationals both contributed a try each in a victory which will lift Quins after last week's mauling by champions Exeter.
Another significant contribution came from No.8 Alex Dombrandt who was a forceful figure in 57 minutes of action topped off by his try when he ran onto Smith's cross-kick.
Northampton grabbed a bonus point thanks to two tries from captain Lewis Ludlam and one each for Nick Isiekwe and replacement Rory Hutchinson.
Quins had dominated the first half and their allround play deserved more than a lead of 23-17 at the break.
Northampton were outplayed out wide and needed Ludlam's first try and, just before half-time, one by Isiekwe to keep in touch.
James Grayson converted both to go alongside a penalty in the 23rd which came straight after Quins' attacking play had made their second try, wing Nathan Earle sprinting clear after good combinations down the right.
Quins had shown their intentions in the seventh minute when the home defence was split down the left, the move ending in Care's try.
The scrum-half was at the heart of Quins' attacks and his good work was also central to a try which was disallowed due to a forward pass from wing Cadan Murley before prop Wilco Louw finished off.
Smith converted both tries in the first half and punished Northampton further for a high penalty count by adding three
Northampto n full-back Harlequins full-back penalty goals. At one stage Quins led 23-10 and Northampton looked thoroughly disheartened. The try by Isiekwe, following a series of fierce drives, lifted the Saints.
Grayson converted to put Saints six points behind at half-time, but Quins started the better after the break and two tries in three minutes looked to have sealed the match.
An excellent spell of pressure brought Brown's try, the full-back latching speedily on to Care's pass, and Smith's well-judged crosskick found the powerful Alex Dombrandt in space
Quins looked assured of victory at 37-17 only to be unsettled by a spate of substitutes, including Care and Dombrandt going off.
Northampton, buoyed by their own substitutes, scored two tries from closerange play through Ludlam and Hutchinson to raise hopes of more than just a bonus point.
Quins, however, finished too strongly and tries by Steele and Smith gave the scoreline the right look. Smith's try was memorable, the fly-half demonstrating his speed and eye for a gap to race clear.
CLOSE-UP
HARRY MALLINDER V MIKE BROWN
Northampton full-back Harlequins full-back
A tough afternoon for Mallinder to make his first start since March. Injuries have blighted his career and he needs to be playing behind a winning pack. For Quins, the quiet calm and command of Brown was a big factor. His presence could be seen when he stepped in to help captain Alex Dombrandt make key decisions. He may have been at full-back but he was never far from the action.
