\n<\/p>\n
The Prem<\/b><\/p>\n
Sale (14) 28<\/b><\/p>\n
Tries: <\/b>Canakaivata, Warr, Bamber, penalty try Cons: <\/b>Ford 3 <\/p>\n
Harlequins (17) 24<\/b><\/p>\n
Tries: <\/b> Riley 2, Smith 2 Cons: <\/b>Smith 2 <\/p>\n
Harlequins’ poor start to the Prem season continued with a third successive loss of the campaign against Sale at CorpAcq Stadium.<\/b><\/p>\n
The Sharks came from behind to win the game with a 73rd-minute penalty try after the returning Marcus Smith had touched down twice in the opening quarter to give Quins an early lead.<\/p>\n
After their opening-day reverse to Bristol at home, Sale have bounced back strongly with back-to-back wins over Saracens and Quins.<\/p>\n
Despite their first points of the season, the loss leaves Quins rooted to the foot of the table.<\/p>\n
Harlequins, crushed 48-0 by Gloucester last weekend, were much more resilient and, with Smith involved for the first time this season after a finger injury, much more threatening.<\/p>\n
But Sale, while nowhere near their best, fought their way out of a tight corner to record their fifth successive win against Quins in domestic and European competition.<\/p>\n
Quins were good value for a 17-14 half time lead, scoring three tries and having two more disallowed by the television match official (TMO).<\/p>\n
Hooker Sam Riley gave them a third-minute lead after Smith and George Furbank had combined in midfield. Then Smith finished off some fine approach play from Furbank.<\/p>\n
Sale, without Tom Curry who dropped out through illness, struck back with a try of their own from Fijian Elia Canakaivata on his first Prem start before Smith sliced through some poor defence for his second try.<\/p>\n
The hosts cut the deficit just before half-time through scrum-half Gus Warr but with the Sharks making too many errors, Riley was mauled over for Quins’ bonus-point try in the 53rd minute.<\/p>\n
Sale fought their way back through a try by lock Ben Bamber after a break by Nicky Smith and a big line-out steal from Courtney Lawes kept them within striking distance.<\/p>\n
And they went ahead after a rumbling maul which took Quins back 30 metres before Riley pulled the ball down close to the try line.<\/p>\n
Referee Christophe Ridley awarded a penalty try and sent the hooker to the sin-bin.<\/p>\n
There was no way back for Quins who must hope a change of competition to the Challenge Cup next week, with a home fixture against Vannes, brings a change of fortune.<\/p>\n
Sale: <\/b>Carpenter; O’Flaherty, Marchant, Lozowski, Reed; Ford, Warr; N Smith, Jibulu, Opoku-Fordjour, van Rhyn (c), Bamber, Lawes, Tshiunza, Canakaivata.<\/p>\n
Replacements: <\/i>Cowan-Dickie, McIntyre, Francis, Dugdale, Hanson, Louw, Loganimasi.<\/p>\n
Harlequins: <\/b>Furbank; Green, Northmore, Bradley, Murley (c); M Smith, Porter; Hobson, Riley, Kerrod, Dun, Treadwell, Kenningham, Driscoll, Cunningham-South.<\/p>\n
Replacements: <\/i>Walker, Johnson-Holmes, Streeter, Petti, Schmid, Friday, Beard, Isgro.<\/p>\n
Referee: <\/b>Christophe Ridley.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n