Quins beat Saints with late Cleaves winner

Gallagher Premiership

Harlequins (10) 22

Tries: Cleaves 2, Lawday, Joseph Con: J Evans

Northampton (14) 19

Tries: Pearson, Haffar, Seabrook Cons: Makepeace-Cubitt 2

Cassius Cleaves' late try secured a dramatic bonus-point win for Harlequins over reigning Premiership champions Northampton Saints.

With Saints heading towards a narrow two-point victory, the 21-year-old burst through to score the game-sealing try with four minutes left.

George Makepeace-Cubitt converted tries from Tom Pearson and Tarek Haffar to give the visitors a four-point lead at the break, with Jarrod Evans missing both kicks after Cleaves and Tom Lawday had scored for the hosts.

Tom Seabrook extended Northampton's lead soon after the break before Will Joseph hit back immediately to narrow the gap to two points.

The game became a contest of who might blink first as both sides began to tire, with Cassius eventually dotting down his second try of the night to give the hosts the lead for the first time.

It was enough for Harlequins to secure a vital five points in their pursuit of a play-off place.

They move up to fifth in the table, level with fourth-placed Leicester Tigers, while Northampton's fall from table-toppers last season continues.

They will go into the international break down in eighth and with a mountain to climb to have any chance of retaining their title.

More to follow.

Harlequins: Green; David, Joseph, Waghorn, Cleaves; J Evans, Care; Jones, Walker, Kerrod, Launchbury, Lewies, Kenningham, W Evans, Chisholm

Replacements: Riley, Els, Lewis, Herbst, Lawday, Porter, Benson, Halfpenny

Northampton: Ramm; Litchfield, Savala, Hutchinson, Seabrook; Makepeace-Cubitt, McParland; Haffar, Walker, Davison, Mayavanua, Lockett, Kemeny, Pearson, Augustus

Replacements: Wright, West, Green, Prowse, Hunter-Hill, Scott-Young, James, Glister

Referee: Luke Pearce