Archie McParland’s hat-trick of tries helped Northampton Saints fight back to beat Harlequins 40-24 and boost their hopes of making the Prem Rugby Cup semi-finals.
Quins, who are now eliminated having lost five of their six group games, raced into a 19-0 lead through scores from Tom Lawday, Luke Yendle and Cassius Cleaves.
McParland reduced the deficit to five points at half-time with two well-taken tries before Cam Anderson stretched Quins’ lead after the break.
Anthony Belleau crossed to keep Saints in touch and Ollie Sleightholme raced in to put the visitors in front at Twickenham Stoop.
Jake Murray thought he had put Quins back ahead but his try was harshly ruled out for an offside in the build-up and McParland made sure of victory as he went in under the posts.
Gloss was added to the scoreline as a late penalty try took Northampton above Saracens into second in Pool B.
The top two sides in each group will go through to the semi-finals in March.
Saints next visit Newcastle Red Bulls on Friday, before rounding off the pool stage with potentially a knockout game against Saracens at Franklin’s Gardens on 28 February.
Northampton were made to work hard for their victory by a Quins side who knew they were all but out of the competition before kick-off.
The home side’s task was made easier in the early stages when Saints’ Luke Green was sent to the sin-bin for a dangerous clearout which saw Ethan Clarke stretchered off.
But just as Quins looked to be running away with it, 20-year-old McParland finished a neat move to get Northampton on the board and then went over following an outstanding break from James Ramm.
With Saints 26-24 up after Sleightholme’s bonus-point try, Murray raced in for Quins.
However, referee Harry Walbaum chalked it off after he adjudged Murray was in an offside position when a grubber kick was sent through.
Moments later Sam Graham burst away from a ruck and found McParland who sprinted over the whitewash for his third try.
