A world record crowd of 83,761 watched Saracens face Harlequins in the Aviva Premiership at Wembley Stadium on Saturday.
The attendance was a world best for a club rugby union match with the spectators treated to a great family day out and a host of entertainment. On the pitch, it was Harlequins who ran out 24-19 winners in the top of the table league clash.
After the 1,500 strong Rock Choir and UK chart toppers McFly had entertained the record crowd, it was the turn of the players and Quins got off to a flying start with Jordan Turner Hall crossing the line with the match just minutes old.
Owen Farrell chipped at the lead to put his side back in front with three penalties before George Lowe crashed over from close range. Farrell’s penalty on the stroke of half time made it 14-12 at the interval.
After the break, Quins scored their third of the game when Danny Care got the ball in space to run home and a penalty from replacement Rory Clegg gave the visitors a 12 point lead going into the final half hour.
Saracens rallied and were camped inside the Quins 22 for much of the remainder of the game and the visitors had three players sent to the sin bin in the closing stages with Joe Marler, Danny Care and Nick Easter all spending time on the sidelines.
The pressure finally told with eight minutes left on the clock when replacement Richard Wigglesworth, back in action after five months out through injury, went over from close range. Farrell’s conversion took Sarries to within five points but despite ending the game just metres from the line, they were unable to find the winning score.
Report from saracens.com