SAINTS 7 QUINS 40
It was to be a disappointing start to the Saints’ evening, Harlequins running riot after a rapid start at the Gardens.
Ollie Lindsay-Hague was first to make inroads before Charlie Walker darted through the last line of defence for opening score.
And it was Lindsay-Hague again causing Saints problems a couple of minutes later, the fleet-footed full back stepping sharply to break the line and coast under the posts.
Henry Cheeseman picked up an interception and saw off the chasing Glenn Dickson just before the break and it was Lindsay-Hague turning on the afterburners shortly after for another excellent solo score.
Alosio Yamoyamo was next to cross as Harlequins picked up pace but Saints would have their say, Harry Mallinder breaking a tackle and sliding in on the end of Phil Mbrew’s pass before Grimoldby added Quins’ sixth in added time.
TIMELINE
1min QUINS Try Walker 0-5
3mins QUINS Try Lindsay-Hague Con Grimoldby 0-12
5mins QUINS Try Cheeseman Con Grimoldby 0-19
HALF-TIME SAINTS 0 QUINS 19
8mins QUINS Try Lindsay-Hague Con Grimoldby 0-26
10mins QUINS Try Yamoyamo Con Grimoldby 0-33
12mins SAINTS Try & Con Mallinder 7-33
14mins QUINS Try & Con Grimoldby 7-40
FULL-TIME SAINTS 7 QUINS 40
SARACENS 33 WASPS 12
SARACENS 0 QUINS 39
SAINTS 26 WASPS 21
Wasps drew first blood as the Saints took to the field for the second time, Tom Howe notching his second try of the evening with a couple of hacks forward from just outside his own 22.
The hosts drew back level two minutes later though, Rory Hutchinson picking smartly from the base and scampering behind the posts - Mallinder's conversion bringing the game back level - only for Tom Bliss to blaze round the outside with the clock showing zero to recapture the initiative.
Some 90 seconds after the restart Teimana Harrison crashed over following good work from Sam Olver but with no conversion, the Saints remained a score down.
It wouldn't stay that way for long, however, Olver breaking through once more and this time going it alone to finish a move started by Howard Packman and rouse a packed Franklin's Gardens.
It was proving a topsy-turvy encounter and things swung back in Wasps' favour when George Eastwell sped in from 40m on the left.
This was to be the Saints' game though and when Mallinder's fine offload was matched by Packman's pick-up, Lewis Ludlam stretched out an arm to finish off a superb team try and put a win on the board.
TIMELINE
4mins WASPS Try Howe Con Sheppard 0-7
6mins SAINTS Try Hutchinson Con Mallinder 7-7
7mins WASPS Try Bliss Con Sheppard 7-14
HALF-TIME SAINTS 7 WASPS 14
9mins SAINTS Try Harrison 12-14
11mins SAINTS Try Olver Con Mallinder 19-14
12mins WASPS Try Eastwell Con Sheppard 19-21
14mins SAINTS Try Ludlam 26-21
FULL-TIME SAINTS 26 WASPS 21
WASPS 19 QUINS 26
SAINTS 33 SARACENS 14
As with the first two ties of the evening, things didn't start well for the Saints as Elliott Reeder quickly punished a yellow card for Teimana Harrison by wrestling his way over in front of the South Stand.
Yet the six men in black, green and gold made light of their numerical disadvantage, Howard Packman going close and then squeezing in the corner on the end of Olver's smart backward pass - Mallinder nailing the touchline conversion for good measure.
Within a matter of seconds they were in front, too, second row Tim Cardall cutting the grain and galloping over as the Saints worked an overlap.
But when Xavier Bauwmans levelled the yellow card count for killing the ball it was the visitors' turn to score against the flow, Ian Minjire blasting clear from halfway to dive emphatically under the posts.
The two score gap was soon re-established after the break as Mallinder crashed into the left corner and Ludlam bagged his second of the night in the very same corner as the Saints Nation raised the roof.
Tensions boiled over on the Church's touchline as the Saints headed for victory but Packman ensured the final say was a positive one and deservedly the hosts', touching down Olver's chip forward to send the Saints to next Friday's finals at the Stoop.
TIMELINE
2mins SAINTS Yellow Harrison
2mins SAR Try Reeder & Con 0-7
5mins SAINTS Try Packman Con Mallinder 7-7
6mins SAINTS Try Cardall Con Mallinder 14-7
7mins SAR Yellow Bauwmans
7mins SAR Minjire & Con 14-14
HALF-TIME SAINTS 14 SARACENS 14
8mins SAINTS Try & Con Mallinder 21-14
10mins SAINTS Try Ludlam 26-14
14mins SAINTS Try Packman Con Mallinder 33-14
FULL-TIME SAINTS 33 SARACENS 14
Att: 11,027
Tickets for finals day of the Premiership Rugby 7s - at the Twickenham Stoop on Friday, August 8th, can be booked by CLICKING HERE
