Harlequins qualified for the last four of the Premiership Cup despite defeat at the hands of Saracens at Allianz Park.

Mike Brown and Gabrie Ibitoye tries as well as 11 points from the boot of Marcus Smith was not enough as a Ben Spencer brace and a Rotimi Segun dot-down was enough for a 28-21 victory. 

Quins finished top of Pool 2, while Mark McCall’s men join them in the semi-finals after finishing as the best runners-up in the competition.

“It was a tough one, we know that every time you play Saracens – especially at Allianz Park – it’s a tough, physical encounter and I think there were some really good outcomes at times," Quins captain Chris Robshaw said.

“But we know how dangerous they can be and for them to score a few tries is tough to take. They had a bit of luck with one score going the full length of the pitch.

“Most importantly though when we look back at this four-week block, to have a 75 percent win ratio and be in the semi-final of the Premiership Rugby Cup is what we wanted to achieve, and we have a good opportunity to win silverware this year.”

Sarries led for the majority of the game, after Segun’s sixth minute try cancelled out Marcus Smith’s early penalty.

Spencer grabbed his first try of the day after Nick Tompkins powered through the visitors’ defence, before Mike Brown got his second score in two weeks as Quins reduced the deficit to five points, 10 minutes before the break.

But the defending Gallagher Premiership Rugby champions hit back shortly after, when Alex Lewington gathered his own kick and found Will Skelton, who made a lung-bursting run before picking out Spencer for his second try.

A series of second-half penalties from Spencer and Smith kept Saracens in front, and a late Gabriel Ibitoye try wasn’t enough to keep Paul Gustard’s side’s 100 percent start to the domestic season intact.

Both Sarries and Quins join Exeter and Sale in the final four, with Paul Gustard's men traveling to Sandy Park, the same opponent they'll face in their Gallagher Premierhsip opener on October 19th.