Gallagher Premiership: Raffi Quirke helps Sale Sharks sink champions Harlequins in 28-22 win

Quirke’s double helped the Sharks finish Quins’ unbeaten begin to the Premiership season in an exhilarating contest on the AJ Bell Stadium on Friday night

Raffi Quirke scored two essential tries for Sale in opposition to Harlequins

Younger star Raffi Quirke scored two tries to assist Sale Sharks finish defending champions Harlequins’ unbeaten begin to the Gallagher Premiership season with a 28-22 triumph on the AJ Bell Stadium.

Sale managed the early levels of an exhilarating contest, touching down first through Quirke, however Quins hit again because of Danny Care and Tyrone Inexperienced tries. The Sharks went into the interval 17-14 forward, although, as Jono Ross, who was earlier sin-binned, crossed the whitewash.

That lead didn’t final lengthy as Luke Northmore scored straight from the kick-off within the second interval earlier than Kieran Wilkinson and Marcus Smith traded penalties.

Quins seemed to be in management however the hosts completed the stronger and claimed a much-needed win as Tom Curtis kicked a penalty and 20-year-old prospect Quirke completed once more.

Final season’s semi-finalists went into this sport off the again of successive defeats to Exeter and Gloucester, however they began the brighter on their dwelling patch in Eccles.

Backed by the returning British and Irish Lions flanker Tom Curry, they seemed way more cohesive with ball in hand, however errors at important levels halted their momentum.

The lineout was additionally inflicting issues, with the Londoners doing exceptionally nicely to disrupt the Sharks’ ball. Nevertheless, the hosts would finally get their reward when Wilkinson’s forward-looking cross despatched Cobus Wiese clear, who then discovered Quirke to complete.

Tyrone Inexperienced went over for Harlequins’ second strive

Quins had not had any possession within the opening quarter-hour however, once they lastly did, Tabai Matson’s males confirmed simply how harmful they’re. After shifting play contained in the opposition 22, they earned a penalty and the ever-aware Care was available to take a fast faucet and contact down.

Wilkinson regained Sale’s lead from the tee however self-discipline was as soon as once more turning into a difficulty for Alex Sanderson’s costs and Ross obtained his second yellow card of the marketing campaign for a excessive sort out on Inexperienced.

With the person benefit, the guests set about placing the house facet’s defence below additional strain and so they virtually discovered a option to the road when Andre Esterhuizen surged by.

Esterhuizen’s off-load was knocked on by the supporting participant, nonetheless, and the transfer broke down, however they weren’t to be denied for lengthy.

Harlequins’ Andre Esterhuizen is tackled by Sale duo Manu Tuilagi and Kieran Wilkinson

Some extra deft rugby by Harlequins put Inexperienced into a spot and, after the full-back had brilliantly collected James Chisholm’s cross, he fantastically stepped Denny Solomona and crossed the whitewash.

Quins had been in management however glorious work on the breakdown from Curry gave Sale one remaining likelihood earlier than the break. Ross additionally returned from the sin-bin and instantly made an impression after going over following a dominant maul to provide the hosts a three-point buffer on the interval.

The Londoners got here from 24-7 all the way down to win comfortably final week, so they didn’t have to panic. But straight from the kick-off they had been again forward as Sale failed to gather and Northmore was available to attain.

Smith didn’t convert and that allowed the Sharks to return in entrance through Wilkinson’s three-pointer a couple of minutes later. The Sale fly-half then missed two photographs at purpose quickly after and it proved expensive as Smith regained Quins’ benefit from the tee.

Wilkinson’s kicking woes would proceed as one other try sailed huge of the goal, however Sale had been creating alternatives.

Their maul was a menace all night and one other infringement from Quins led to a fifth three-point try of the half, this time from alternative Curtis, and it was heading in the right direction.

It was an important rating because the hosts constructed momentum and secured the win when Quirke crossed the whitewash late on.