Late Sale penalty attempt continues Harlequins woes

The Prem

Sale (14) 28

Tries: Canakaivata, Warr, Bamber, penalty attempt Cons: Ford 3

Harlequins (17) 24

Tries: Riley 2, Smith 2 Cons: Smith 2

Harlequins’ poor begin to the Prem season continued with a 3rd successive lack of the marketing campaign towards Sale at CorpAcq Stadium.

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The Sharks got here from behind to win the sport with a 73rd-minute penalty attempt after the returning Marcus Smith had touched down twice within the opening quarter to offer Quins an early lead.

After their opening-day reverse to Bristol at house, Sale have bounced again strongly with back-to-back wins over Saracens and Quins.

Despite their first factors of the season, the loss leaves Quins rooted to the foot of the desk.

Harlequins, crushed 48-0 by Gloucester final weekend, have been rather more resilient and, with Smith concerned for the primary time this season after a finger damage, rather more threatening.

But Sale, whereas nowhere close to their finest, fought their approach out of a decent nook to document their fifth successive win towards Quins in home and European competitors.

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Quins have been good worth for a 17-14 half time lead, scoring three tries and having two extra disallowed by the tv match official (TMO).

Hooker Sam Riley gave them a third-minute lead after Smith and George Furbank had mixed in midfield. Then Smith completed off some superb method play from Furbank.

Sale, with out Tom Curry who dropped out by way of sickness, struck again with a attempt of their very own from Fijian Elia Canakaivata on his first Prem begin earlier than Smith sliced by way of some poor defence for his second attempt.

The hosts lower the deficit simply earlier than half-time by way of scrum-half Gus Warr however with the Sharks making too many errors, Riley was mauled over for Quins’ bonus-point attempt within the 53rd minute.

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Sale fought their approach again by way of a attempt by lock Ben Bamber after a break by Nicky Smith and an enormous line-out steal from Courtney Lawes stored them inside placing distance.

And they went forward after a rumbling maul which took Quins again 30 metres earlier than Riley pulled the ball down near the attempt line.

Referee Christophe Ridley awarded a penalty try to despatched the hooker to the sin-bin.

There was no approach again for Quins who should hope a change of competitors to the Challenge Cup subsequent week, with a house fixture towards Vannes, brings a change of fortune.

‘I’m actually happy with the boys’ efforts’ – response

Harlequins head coach Jason Gilmore advised BBC Radio Manchester:

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“Fair play to Sale. They obtained themselves again into the sport with their set-piece however I’m actually happy with the boys’ efforts up right here. I’m simply completely happy for the boys that they obtained some reward out of their work.

“If you are ready to go to darkish locations for us and win these collisions, then you are going to get chosen. If you are dipping your toe in a single week after which not the subsequent, then we will not tolerate that.

“You cannot be up one week after which down the subsequent week like we had final week. Performance will dictate the shirts.”

Sale director of rugby Alex Sanderson mentioned:

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“We have been chasing the sport all day. The combat’s in them clearly and it is the second week they’ve discovered a option to win.

“They’ve needed to handle the way in which by way of video games, problem-solve and provide you with options and that is actually rewarding.

“I’m actually, actually happy with that however we’re nonetheless not the place we wish to be by way of efficiency as a result of that [chasing the game] will not be ok towards Glasgow subsequent week. We know that – however we’ll take this win.

“If you’ll be able to win taking part in badly, then that is a great signal. It’s as much as us to step up, it is all inside our palms and our capabilities. That’s the thrilling bit, is not it?”

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Sale: Carpenter; O’Flaherty, Marchant, Lozowski, Reed; Ford, Warr; N Smith, Jibulu, Opoku-Fordjour, van Rhyn (c), Bamber, Lawes, Tshiunza, Canakaivata.

Replacements: Cowan-Dickie, McIntyre, Francis, Dugdale, Hanson, Louw, Loganimasi.

Harlequins: Furbank; Green, Northmore, Bradley, Murley (c); M Smith, Porter; Hobson, Riley, Kerrod, Dun, Treadwell, Kenningham, Driscoll, Cunningham-South.

Replacements: Walker, Johnson-Holmes, Streeter, Petti, Schmid, Friday, Beard, Isgro.

Referee: Christophe Ridley.