Northampton were subjected to a humiliating defeat at The Stoop as free-scoring Harlequins racked up five tries in a one-sided Zurich Premiership clash.

Saints' magnificent display against Gloucester last Saturday suggested Quins - who had lost their previous two home games - were in for a torrid time but Mark Evans' side paid little attention to the script.

By half time they had amassed a commanding 28-7 lead and save for a brief fightback after the interval, Northampton never looked like overcoming the deficit - largely thanks to the home side's watertight defence which only collapsed late on.

A superb 11th-minute try from England Sevens ace Ugo Monye set the tone as Quins took their opponents to the cleaners up front, with tries from Pat Sanderson, Tani Fuga and Simon Keogh (2) completing the rout.

The try-scoring bonus point was no more than the London club deserved given their superiority throughout, although Saints coach Wayne Smith will be wondering what happened to the side which before today appeared in such ominous form.

They began the match in second place in the table but everything appeared to go wrong with even the ever-reliable Shane Drahm and the Premiership's form player Andrew Blowers suffering performances to forget.

In contrast to Drahm, his opposite number and former Ireland international Paul Burke was a constant threat at fly-half, orchestrating play neatly and missing just two shots at goal in eight attempts.

It was Burke who drew first blood with a 55-metre penalty - via a kind bounce off the crossbar - and Quins extended their lead in the 11th minute with a beautifully worked try from winger Monye.

The inspiration was provided by Burke who fired a cheeky kick to the left wing where the onrushing Monye gathered up and sped forward, breaking through two tackles before crashing over in the corner.

It was no more than Quins deserved given their domination of the opening exchanges and Burke rubbed salt into Saints' wounds by adding the tricky conversion and a second penalty.

Quins' pack was in full control and their efforts led to the next try, lock Jim Evans pinching Saints line-out ball and driving forward as the visitors' line came under siege with flanker Sanderson eventually wriggling through.

Burke was off-target with the extras but made amends with another three pointer, and was then on hand to convert Fuga's touchdown after the Samoan hooker had barged his way over following another forward drive.

Number eight Tony Diprose was sent to the sin-bin in the dying moments of the half for a professional foul and Saints took advantage by crossing through second row Hunter for a try converted by Drahm.

Drahm - usually a reliable kicker and the Premiership's leading points scorer before today - fluffed a simple penalty as Northampton worked their way back into the match after the interval, although they found few gaps in Quins' rearguard.

Instead it was the home side who scored next, the vision of Diprose setting up the initial platform before the ball was fed wide to Mel Deane, the former Sale centre jinking inside and feeding Keogh who dashed in at the corner.

Excellent approach work from Quins' forwards led to their fifth try as they made the initial inroads before the ball was released to Keogh who cruised home. Substitute Andy Dunne converted.

Saints had the last word with late tries from Andrew Blowers and Grant Seely - both improved by Drahm - but by that time the game was well and truly over as Quins fans were left to savour a memorable performance.

Teams:

Harlequins: J. Taumalolo, Keogh, Bell, Deane, Monye, Burke, Willis, Worsley, Fuga, Dawson, Davison, Evans, Sanderson, Vos, Diprose.

Replacements: Duffy for J. Taumalolo (67), Dunne for Burke (64), Jones for Worsley (60), Gomez for Dawson (60), Rudzki for Davison (60), Hayter for Sanderson (79), Winters for Diprose (64).

Sin Bin: Diprose (40), Fuga (78).

Tries: Monye, Sanderson, Fuga, Keogh 2.

Cons: Burke 2, Dunne.

Pens: Burke 4.

Northampton: Beal, Sleightholme, Reihana, Leslie, Ripol, Drahm, Robinson, Sturgess, Miles, Budgen, Lord, Hunter, Connors, Fox, Blowers, Hyndman.

Replacements: Hyndman for Ripol (40), Howard for Robinson (45), Richmond for Miles (40), Morris for Budgen (40), Soden for Lord (66), Seely for Connors (50), Brooks for Hyndman (58).

Tries: Hunter, Blowers, Seely.

Cons: Drahm 3.

Att: 6,223

Ref: Martin Fox (RFU).