Match Centre: Harlequins 16-24 Sale Sharks
Sale Sharks now have nine wins from 12 matches
©Steve Haag
Harlequins 16-24 Sale Sharks, Twickenham Stoop
Sale Sharks managed to hold off Harlequins in a closely fought encounter as they sealed a 24-16 victory in the 15th round of the Gallagher Premiership at Twickenham Stoop on Sunday.
Sale now have nine wins from 12 matches as they extended the lead over third placed Harlequins by 12 points.
Tommaso Allan started the proceedings with a fourth minute penalty goal after Simon McIntyre was caught slowing down the ruck before Sale responded through Tom O'Flaherty in the 17th minute when he touched down after Luke James opened up the space.
Robert du Preez, who kicked the conversion also followed it with a try of his own after collecting a low kick through by Sam James to make it 3-14. Du Preez missed an opportunity of drop goal but Allan with a three-pointer of his own in the 30th minute ensured Harlequins reduced their deficit to eight points at the end of the opening half.
Harlequins extended their lead early in the second half when after collecting a hanging kick from Allan, who missed out on the extras as the scoreline became 11-14.
Sale's third try came in the 52nd minute as Akker van der Merwe dotted down at the back of a rumbling maul but Rob du Preez's conversion drifted wide. Italy international Allan was then stretchered off following a clash with Manu Tuilagi and shortly the visitors claimed the bonus point when lock Cobus Wiese muscle his way over to make it 11-24.
Nick David scored a consolation try for the Quins but that did not stop Sale from completing an eight point victory.
Team line up:
Harlequins: David; Murley, Marchant, Esterhuizen, Bassett; Allan, Care; Baxter, Walker, Louw, Hammond, Herbst, White, Wallace, Dombrandt (capt).
Reserves: Musk, Els, Kerrod, Matthews, Lawday, Gjaltema, Edwards, Beard.
Sale: L James; Reed, S James, Tuilagi, O'Flaherty; R Du Preez, Warr; McIntyre, Van Der Merwe, Schonert, Wiese, Hill, T Curry, B Curry (capt), J-L Du Preez.
Reserves: Ashman, Rodd, Harper, Beaumont, Ross, Thomas, Curtis, Carpenter
