Sale Sharks defeat Harlequins 27-19 to clinch Premiership Cup title

Sale Sharks 27-19 Harlequins, AJ Bell Stadium

Sale Sharks continued their impressive form this season as they edged out Harlequins 27-19 in the final of the Premiership Rugby Cup at AJ Bell Stadium on Monday.

This is also Sale Sharks' first trophy in 14 years since they won the Premiership title in 2006 while Harlequins' last title came in 2013 when they won Anglo-Welsh Cup.

Steve Diamond's men also will be aiming to seal a play-off spot in the Gallagher Premiership where they are positioned fourth with 12 wins from 20 games.

Harlequins started the game with a huge setback as Stephan Lewies was yellow-carded in the 10th minute and Sale immediately capitalised on the numerical advantage with Curtis Langdon's touchdown in the 11th minute and Robert du Preez followed with a conversion and a penalty to take them to a 10-0 lead.

The Quins bounced back with back to back penalties from Marcus Smith to reduce the gap down to four points and soon the visitors went on to claim the lead through James Chisholm's touchdown in the 32nd minute. Smith was once again spot on with the conversion and followed it with a penalty making it 10-16.

Harlequins were the quickest to get off the block in the second half through Smith's fourth penalty goal in the 50th minute to increase their lead to nine points but Sale were still in the game with Daniel du Preez dotting down in the 67th minute and his brother Rob improving it making the scoreline 17-19.

As the final five minutes kicked off, Robert kicked a penalty goal to put Sale in front and three minutes later Faf de Klerk scored the decisive try in the 78th minute with the fly-half improving to complete an eight point victory.