Cleaves delivers last-gasp knockout

CASSIUS Cleaves, a name destined to top the bill, scorched in for a late try to keep Quins well in the mix for a play-off spot after an entertaining dust up between two under-strength teams.

- BRENDAN GALLAGHER

With a slew of injuries and multiple Test call ups, some of them very late indeed, Saints fielded what in cricket terms would be called a Club & Ground Xl but for much of the game looked like clinching their first league win on the road in a year.

It wasn't to be and this eighth straight away defeat in the Premiership, over two seasons, leaves Phil Dowson's team a mountain to climb if they are to make the last four and successfully defend their title.

Quins meanwhile were also deprived of the likes of Fin Baxter, Chandler Cunningham-South, Oscar Beard, Alex Dombrandt and Cadan Murley but despite all the absentees this was a game that put the Premiership in a good light, indeed much of the scramble defence and diehard attitudes in contact were more intense than some of the gala tryfests we have witnessed recently.