Sale complete late win to leave Harlequins bottom of table

Harlequins’ troubled start to the Gallagher Prem season continued with a third successive loss of the campaign against Sale at CorpAcq Stadium in Salford.

The Sharks left it late but came from behind to snatch a 28-24 success with a 73rd-minute penalty try, after the returning Marcus Smith had touched down twice in the opening quarter to threaten a shock win for the visitors.

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

But despite their first points of the season, the loss leaves Jason Gilmore’s team – who suffered their worst league defeat in 26 years last weekend, a 48-0 humbling by Gloucester – rooted to the foot of the table.

With Smith involved for the first time this season after a finger injury, the visitors made seven changes on the back of that embarrassment.

This was a big improvement on that toothless display but, with a late power surge, Sale found a way to chalk up what was their fifth successive win against Harlequins in the league and Europe.

Quins, who had two tries disallowed before the interval, deserved their 17-14 half time lead.

They made a fast start with hooker Sam Riley giving them a third-minute lead, diving over in the corner after Smith and George Furbank had combined in midfield.

Five minutes later Smith was over after a beautiful tip pass from Furbank had freed Luke Northmore down the right wing.

Sale hit back in the 11th minute with a superb try of their own from Fijian number eight Elia Canakaivata on his first Prem start, with Jacques Vermeulen suspended after his red card against Saracens.

Smith went through some weak defence for his second try in the 19th minute and only a brilliant cover tackle from O’Flaherty prevented the England man grabbing his hat-trick inside the first half hour.

Sale cut the deficit two minutes before the break with scrum-half Gus Warr going over after some nice work in midfield from Alex Lozowski.

With the Sharks conceding too many penalties, Riley was mauled over for Quins’ bonus-point try in the 53rd minute.

But when Sale finally were able to hold onto possession, second row Ben Bamber crossed after an initial break by Nicky Smith.

Quins pressed again but a crucial lineout steal from Courtney Lawes dug the Sharks out of a hole. Then Chandler Cunningham-South was unable to find Cadan Murley after intercepting George Ford’s pass.

But then Sale’s pack got rumbling with seven minutes left, mauling Quins back 30 metres before Riley pulled it down close to the tryline and conceded a penalty try. The hooker was sent to the sin-bin and the visitors, chasing the game short-handed, could not find a way back.