Raffi Quirke shines as Sale Sharks defeat reigning champions Harlequins

Raffi Quirke’s brace handed Harlequins their first defeat of the season as Sale Sharks edged a 28-22 thriller at the AJ Bell Stadium.

With England Head Coach Eddie Jones watching on from the stands, Quirke put on a Man of the Match showing to end the reigning champions’ unbeaten start to the season.

The pre-match firework display set the tone for what was a highly entertaining battle under the Manchester lights, and the near full attendance had to wait five minutes for the first outburst of argy-bargy between the sides.

Despite facing a Quins side that had won three from three and scored the most points in the Premiership, the Sharks started the better but they had themselves to blame for being unable to score any early points as a result of errors.

Marcus Smith was involved from the off for the first time this season after completing his mandatory rest period after featuring for the British and Irish Lions. He was given a heavy welcome back to club rugby by Simon Hammersley who timed his tackle to perfection as the fly-half landed after claiming a high ball.

Sale broke the deadlock a quarter of an hour in when lock Cobus Wiese powerfully broke through and offloaded to the supporting Quirke who had the simple job of finishing and claiming his second try in as many weeks.

The hosts’ lead lasted three minutes as Danny Care took advantage of a lapse in concentration to force his way over the line despite Sharks’ best efforts to keep him out as Smith converted to level the scores.

After regaining the lead through Kieran Wilkinson’s penalty, Sale were forced to play the final 10 minutes a man less when captain Jono Ross left referee Tom Foley with no choice but to show yellow for a careless high tackle on Tyrone Green.

Sale’s ill-discipline, an unwanted issue in recent weeks, came back to bite them once again when Quins capitalised to score their second try three minutes before the break.

Green had caused the Sharks problems throughout the half and a moment of brilliance following a burst of acceleration and a smooth side-step away from Denny Solomona was finished off with a fantastic one-handed score in the corner. The extras were added once again to give the Quins a four-point lead.

The hosts fought back to turn the score back in their favour with the final action of the first half. Sharks formed a lineout five metres out after the Quins were pinged, and Jono Ross, who had just returned from the bin, directed the maul over the line leaving the visitors helpless. Wilkinson’s extras gave Sale a 17-14 lead at half-time.

Sharks lost their lead 10 seconds after the restart when an error in claiming the ball allowed Luke Northmore to run in and get the try.

With the level of attacking quality on display, it was no surprise the action was end to end. Sam James, Solomona and Quirke combined well to win Sharks a penalty and Wilkinson struck the kick perfectly to regain Sale’s lead.

Despite their fast start, Quins had yet to get going and their slowness led to a rise in penalties conceded. Wilkinson failed at two penalty attempts to widen the Sharks’ advantage and they were made to pay when Smith made no mistake with his kick to give the visitors a two-point lead with 15 minutes to play.

Sharks once again missed three points from the tee, but replacement fly-half Tom Curtis, who missed a crucial kick in Sale’s defeat against Gloucester last weekend, held his nerve to fire the hosts back in front with four minutes to go.

The champions had lost their last seven matches at the AJ Bell and they were left winless again when Quirke, after confirmation from the TMO, scored his second of the match with a minute to go.

The scrum-half picked up a loose ball before spinning his way through a gap and having just enough reach to place the ball on the line.

Curtis was unable to add the extras meaning Quins travel back to the Stoop with a point to show for their efforts.

Victory for the Sharks takes them into the top four, for the night at least, although the champions miss the chance to climb above Leicester Tigers and go top of the Premiership table.

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