It began with two England front-rowers clashing in the tunnel, endured a shocking injury that left both sides visibly shaken and there were times the home faithful turned on one of their former players – this was a feisty London derby that went the way of Harlequins, who basked in the glory of finally beating Saracens at the ninth time of trying.
Admittedly, the “clash” between Joe Marler and Jamie George was entirely in jest and you would have to go some to find a more polite chorus of boos than that from the Harlequins supporters but this was a keenly fought derby that had the ultras of suburbia off their feet and roaring with delight at the final whistle.
