Captain for the night Charlie Walker impressed with three tries while teenage flyer Joe Marchant scooped up five scores himself as Quins emerged with a perfect record.
And the excitement didn’t stop until after the final game as hosts Saints bested Saracens in a winner-takes-all showdown to seal their own progression.
Harlequins were merciless from the word go against Northampton – to much of Franklin’s Gardens despair – as captain Walker and Ollie Lindsay-Hague ran in tries in quick fashion.
The punishment continued through another Lindsay-Hague score, Alosio YamoYamo, Henry Cheeseman and Louis Grimoldby, although Harry Mallinder did give the hosts something to smile about as it ended 40-7 to Quins.
Next up, Kenyan duo Samuel Odhiambo and Ian Minjire were the ones to steal to show after bagging two tries apiece as Saracens swamped Wasps in an impressive display.
Wasps had drawn first blood through Tom Howe but Sarries assumed control early on, as Nick Hankin also wrote his name on the scoresheet in the second half in a 33-12 triumph.
But Quins were not about to be overshadowed by their London rivals and proved their defence is as watertight as their attack is menacing in a 36-0 shut-out of Saracens.
Walker (2) and academy youngster Marchant (2) were the pick of the bunch but in truth there are very few weak links in this Quins squad as they sealed qualification with a game to spare.
Hot on Quins’ heels was the game of the night between Saints and Wasps, with both clubs desperately needing a win to remain in contention.
Wasps had just about kept Saints at arm’s length through Tom Bliss and Howe – despite Rory Hutchinson’s score in the first half.
Teimana Harrison and captain Sam Olver responded for the hosts, but a converted George Eastwell try had Wasps snatching the win – until Lewis Ludlam stole over to send Franklin’s Gardens into raptures.
It was an agonising 24-21 defeat for Wasps but they ensured that they wouldn’t be heading back to Adams Park with a whimper after going toe-to-toe with Quins.
Piers O’Conor’s try and a Tom Chapman double in the second half had tied things up after Jack Maslen, Louis Grimoldby and Marchant had touched down.
But the impressive Marchant soared through to wrap up Group C and give Quins a maximum 15 points from 15 and round off the evening on a high.
Then it was the second-place decider – Saints versus Saracens – and it was finely poised at the interval.
The hosts pounced through Howard Packman and Tim Cardall but Minjire levelled it up to add to Elliott Reeder’s early score.
However Mallinder, Ludlam and Packman ensured there would be three group stage hosts gracing The Stoop as a final flourish from the Saints saw them take a 33-14 triumph.
Attendance: 11,027
Harlequins 40 Northampton Saints 7
Saracens 33 Wasps 12
Saracens 0 Harlequins 36
Northampton Saints 24 Wasps 21
Harlequins 26 Wasps 19
Northampton Saints 33 Saracens 14
Premiership Rugby 7s Series
Group D – Saturday 2 August – Darlington Northern Echo Arena – Newcastle Falcons, Leicester Tigers, London Welsh, Sale Sharks
Series Final – Friday 8 August – Twickenham Stoop
For tickets to all events click here
Article source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/27284782
Premiership Rugby 7s: Harlequins and Saints reach The Stoop
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