mens
gallagher-prime minister
Harlequins’ troubled start to the Gallagher Prem season continued with a third straight defeat of the campaign against Sale at the CorpAcq Stadium in Salford.
The Sharks left late but came from behind to seal a 28-24 success with a penalty try in the 73rd minute after the returning Marcus Smith struck twice in the first quarter to threaten a shock win for the visitors.
After opening them, go back to Bristol at home, Sale bounced back strongly with back-to-back wins Saracens and Quins.
But despite their first points of the season, the defeat leaves Jason Gilmore’s side – who suffered their worst league defeat for 26 years last weekend, with a 48-0 thrashing of Gloucester – rooted to the foot of the table.
With Smith out for the first time this season after a finger injury, the visitors made seven changes on the back of that embarrassment.
Gallagher Premiership
P
W
L
D
PF
Well
PD
BP T
BP-7
BP
In total
1
3
2
1
0
12
2
3
2
1
0
11
3
3
2
1
0
11
4
3
2
1
0
11
5
3
2
1
0
11
6
3
2
1
0
10
7
3
2
1
0
9
8
3
1
2
0
8
9
3
0
3
0
4
10
3
0
3
0
2
This was a vast improvement on that toothless display but, with a late surge of electricity, Sale found a way to record their fifth straight win against Harlequins in the league and in Europe.
Quins, who had two tries disallowed before the break, earned a 17-14 lead at half-time.
They started quickly with the whore Sam Riley giving them the lead in the third minute, diving in a corner after Smith and George Furbank combined in midfield.
Five minutes later Smith was through after Furbank’s beautiful pass over the top released Luke Northmore on the right wing.
Sale hit back in the 11th minute with a superb own try from Fijian number eight Elia Canakaivata on his first Prem start, with Jacques Vermeulen suspended following his red card against Saracens.
Smith went through a poor defense for his second try in the 19th minute, only to be prevented by a brilliant tackle from O’Flaherty England The man who grabs his hat-trick in the first half hour.
Sale reduced the deficit two minutes before the break, scrum-half Gus Warr crossing after some fine work in midfield by Alex Lozowski.
With the Sharks conceding too many penalties, Riley was beaten for Quins’ 53rd minute bonus point try.
But when Sale finally managed to retain possession, Ben Bamber crossed the line after Nicky Smith’s initial break.
Quins pressed again but a key steal from the line by Courtney Lawes pulled the Sharks out of a hole.
Then Chandler Cunningham-South failed to find Cadan Murley after intercepting George Ford’s pass.
But then Sale’s pack messed up with seven minutes to go, pinning Quins back 30 meters before Riley brought him down near the try line to concede a penalty. The prostitute was sent to the sin bin, and the guests, who were chasing the game with short arms, could not return.