Musk strikes as Harlequins prove too strong for Northampton

Jack Musk scored two tries as Harlequins withstood a Northampton rally to win 35-29 in the English Premiership on Sunday.

Quins, last season's losing semifinalists, were 28-18 ahead at their Twickenham Stoop ground before the Saints gave them a fright.

But the visitors left themselves with a mountain to climb after giving Quins a 14-point start and missing several chances of their own.

Quins hooker Musk scored two of the home side's five tries, with Lennox Anyanwu, Luke Northmore and Cadan Murley also crossing the Saints' line.

Each of those efforts was converted by England fly-half Marcus Smith, with Quins now fifth in the 13-team table, just two points behind leaders Saracens after playing four matches to their London rivals' three.

Lewis Ludlam, Tommy Freeman, George Furbank and Tom James managed tries for Saints, with Wales stand-off Dan Biggar converting the lot and kicking a penalty as well.

Harlequins, who have made no secret of their desire to be entertainers, gave the home crowd plenty to cheer early on with two tries in the opening six minutes.

Following a Northampton scrum infringement, Smith kicked the resulting penalty into the corner and Musk was driven over from the ensuing line-out.

Poor handling by the Saints then allowed Joe Marchant to seize on the loose ball and send centre Anyanwu on a 50-metre run to the line.

After more fumbles in attacking positions, Biggar got Northampton on the scoreboard with a routine penalty.

But three minutes later Quins surged further ahead with a fine try, the ball moved expertly along the back-line before Northmore marked his 50th appearance for the club by running in from 30 metres out.

Quins now led 21-3 but Northampton were eventually rewarded for a decent share of possession and territory when captain Ludlam crashed over between the posts.

Early in the second half Northampton lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto was yellow-carded for a high challenge, with Quins capitalising on the Australian international's absence when Musk finished off another driving line-out.

Freeman sparked hope of a Saints comeback with the visitors' second try before Murley gave Quins breathing space.

Northampton were left in eighth place after securing two bonus points thanks to late tries from Furbank and James.