Harlequins vs Saracens: Marcus Smith scores on 200th game in 33-15 win

Marcus Smith needed less than three minutes to mark his 200th appearance for Harlequins with a try. That set the hosts on their way to a 33-15 win over Saracens in the London derby at The Stoop, and to their first Prem victory of the season.

Smith converted his own opening try, and Harlequins had the try bonus point before half-time. They finished with five tries, from Smith, Seb Driscoll, Cadan Murley and Will Porter plus a penalty try, and Smith added three conversions.

Saracens pay for their discipline

Saracens did not help themselves in the first half. Ben Earl was sent to the sin-bin on 24 minutes and Fergus Burke followed on 36. Burke did not come back on after his yellow card because he failed a head injury assessment.

The visitors scored tries through Rotimi Segun, Theo Dan and Nick Tompkins, but that was not enough on a day when a win would have lifted them to second. Instead, Harlequins have now beaten their rivals in three straight Prem matches at home.

There was another milestone for the hosts. England prop Fin Baxter made his comeback from a foot injury that had kept him out for about 10 months, and he set up Driscoll's try.

Harlequins head coach Jason Gilmore praised his fly-half: "he’s only 27 and played 200 games for us. We’re so lucky to have him."

Saracens head coach Joe Shaw said: "We planned for him not to be that brilliant. He can pick you off."

Still bottom, but closing in

The win does not lift Harlequins off the bottom of the Prem standings, but it leaves them only one point behind Exeter and Newcastle. Saracens are fifth, five points behind the leaders, Gloucester.

Exeter are next up for Harlequins.