Sharks take Premiership Cup as Harlequins fail to deliver

Harlequins fell agonisingly short in their effort to get some silverware this season after losing to Sale Sharks 27-19 in the Premiership Cup.

Sharks scored to late tries to deny Quins glory on the night and win their first silverware since 2006.

The hosts raced into an early 10-0 lead after 15 minutes. Fourteen points from the boot of Marcus Smith and a James Chisholm try put Quins 19-10 ahead.

But Dan du Preez’s try and a Faf de Klerk score with two minutes remaining sealed the win.

Harlequins had the first chance to get some points on the board with a Smith penalty. The fly-half’s effort coming off the post after just two minutes. The visitor’s penalties conceded were beginning to mount up when Stephan Lewies shown a yellow card.

Following a driving maul Curtis Langdon went over for the home side. A Rob du Preez conversion and try gave Sharks an early advantage.

Slowly Harlequins started to grow into the game and two Smith penalty kicks reduced the gap.

With half an hour on the clock James Chisholm started and finished a move to put Quins in the lead for the first time.

The penalty count was beginning now to mount for Sale and Smith slotted over another kick to give the Londoners a 16-10 lead at the break.

Harlequins continued to press home their advantage by winning seven turnovers. Another success from the tee from Smith looked to have put the game out of Sharks reach.

With fourteen minutes left, South African Dan du Preez crashed over, and the subsequent conversion moved Sharks within two points.

Rob du Preez then slotted a penalty to put the home side ahead. It was down to World Cup winning scrum-half De Klerk to dart over for the best try of the night.

With it went Quins hopes of lifting a trophy, in a game they looked like winning, but came away with nothing.