Cassius Cleaves scuttled in for his second try just three minutes from full time to deliver a mortal blow to Northampton Saints’ title defence and offer Harlequins hope of reaching the Premiership play-offs.
Jack Kenningham and Will Joseph were also excellent but it took Cleaves, a former England Under-20 international on his return from a hamstring injury he sustained in September, to secure the shoot-out by sprinting down the touchline for a bonus-point try.
Instead, the teams were typically intrepid, with Harlequins full-back Tyrone Green sparky as ever, and did not clam up until the last 20 minutes.
With two teams scrapping to chase the top four and considerably compromised by England selection, this contest could have been edgy and forgettable.
“He still has a lot to learn – he should have had three tries, to be honest – but he’s got finishing ability and it always felt as though he was going to get away.”.
