Sharks find their bite
Sale are up to fourth in the Premiership after outmuscling Harlequins in the mud on their way to a 20-13 victory at Edgeley Park.
By Ben Sullivan
Last Updated: 25/01/08 10:07pm
Sale are up to fourth in the Guinness Premiership after outmuscling Harlequins in the mud on their way to a 20-13 victory at Edgeley Park.
The Sharks' domestic form has been shaky of late but they turned the screw on Quins with a dominant second half display after leading just 7-6 at the break. For their part, Quins refused to wilt, defended ferociously and made the match a contest for the 10,000-plus crowd right up to the final whistle.
The champions of two years ago looked set to overrun Quins in the early stages as their forwards battered away and the visitors gifted possession with a string of mis-placed passes and knock-ons.
Sales' forwards pummeled at the Quins line on seven minutes and an opening emerged for Chris Jones to score from close range. Charlie Hodgson knocked over the conversion and Sale led 7-0.
But for a few glimpses of David Strettle it was all Sale, although they could not turn their pressure into points and Quins made them pay in the final 10 minutes of the half.
Penalties
Twice Sale infringed at the contact area and twice Adrian Jarvis slotted penalties.
There was more frustration for Sale in the closing moments of the half as sustained forward presure on the Quins line was repelled, then when they did earn a penalty in injury time, Hodgson missed from the touchline.
But the third quarter was a different story for the hosts as they continued to control the game - and more importantly turned that dominance into points.
Lee Thomas should have scored two minutes into the second half only to knock on under pressure as he placed the ball on the line, then as Sale continued to press, Mark Cueto knocked on in midfield.
The pressure did earn Hodgson a penalty which he kicked from in front of the posts but the second try when it finally arrived came from a rare counter-attack.
Quins turned Sale attacking ball over and Strettle cleared deep into the arms of Cueto just outside his own 22.
Winger
The England winger decided to run it and raced through the centre of the Quins defence, beating three men before offloading to the supporting Rory Lamont who put Oriol Ripol over in the corner. Hodgson goaled from the touchline and the lead was 10 points.
It was a marvellous try but Cueto went too far when he next received the ball in his own half, attempting a repeat and being caught and forcing his support into giving away a penalty.
Quins put the ball in the corner and replacement Tani Fuga drove in low at the base of a ruck to score his 12th career Premiership try.
That got Quins to within bonus point range, which was all their defiance deserved. Sales' forwards were content to pick and drive and run down the clock, as thoughts of pressing for a bonus point of their own were forgotten with the win itself suddenly and surprisingly in doubt.
In injury time Sale's forwards earned yet another penalty which Hodgson kicked, although in terms of points awarded it was immaterial.
