Harlequins 73 Barbarians 28

Report

Harlequins took the plaudits with a rampant 73-28 victory in their first ever encounter with the Barbarians.

Joe Marler and Joe Marchant stole the headlines, scoring in the quarters after representing the Barbarians earlier that week.

Despite fielding household names such as Damian McKenzie and Mike Brown, Harlequins’ fluidity in attack was too much for a disjointed Barbarians outfit.

Academy prospect Oscar Beard opened the scoring just five minutes before Will Edwards slotted the first of his eight successful conversions on the afternoon.

At first this Harlequins fortune was short-lived, as Scott Scrafton and Levi Aumua dotted down either side of a McKenzie yellow, who’s boot edged the Barbarians 14-7 in front.

The hosts answered back twice before half-time through Josh Bassett and talisman Beard, who’s first-40 brace bought life to a sold-out Stoop.

Despite this flurry, momentum shifted in the visitors favour, as tries from former Quin Mike Brown and New Zealander Abraham Papali’i reasserted the Baa-Baa’s dominance.

However, this would be the last high note for the Barbarians, who succumbed to a second-half thumping by a flair-driven Quins, starting with Bassett bagging his second of the afternoon.

High-flying wing Cadan Murley scored twice, youngsters Hayden Hyde and Jack Kenningham bagged, and goal-kicker Will Edwards claimed a try of his own.

Edwards was immaculate from the boot after half-time, nailing eight of his nine attempts on the day.

Ex-Barbarians Marchant and Marler posted up tries, with the loosehead even striking over a conversion after his score.

Harlequins stalwart Alex Dombrandt bolstered a few laughs around the Stoop as the number eight missed a conversion which bought an end to the afternoon, with Harlequins coming away from the 100-point game with a 73-28 win.