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Harlequins 16 Sale Sharks 23

Jenny Dixon
7/ 5/2008

SHARKS proved they are ready and able to challenge for Premiership glory with a power-packed victory against Harlequins.

Thirteen may be unlucky for some but fortunately luck didn’t come into the equation as Sharks lost two players to the sin-bin within three minutes.

It was Sale players’ pure grit and tenacity that kept Harlequins from catching them, while yellow-carded Andrew Sheridan and Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe watched helplessly from the sidelines.

The 23-16 win on Sunday fired Sharks into third place in the Premiership, and their resurrection could not have been better timed - after Sale’s disappointing exit from the European Challenge Cup.

Sharks’ fans have learned to expect the unexpected this term, as Sale’s team sheet is no longer an indication of what side will turn up.

But Sharks, with the welcome return of key figures Jason White and Sebastien Chabal, were as up for this tie as the unusually raucous flag-waving Quins fans.

Sharks trailed during the opening 20 minutes of the match, conceding a try to winger Tom Williams after four minutes.

Quins monopolised early possession and made the most of a bungled Sale line-out, swiftly moving the ball onto the opposite wing for full-back Mike Brown to provide Williams with the try-scoring pass.

Adrian Jarvis missed the conversion but posted two penalties to take the home side into an 11-0 lead.

Sharks’ second foray into the opposition’s 22 produced their first try, Chris Bell having been denied his earlier effort due to offside.

Lock Chris Jones scythed through the defence with ease, but when he was unable to finish the move, Richard Wigglesworth did the honours from the offload.

Charlie Hodgson converted.

Sharks were clearly sensing a vulnerability in the Quins outfit as they continued to plough forward. Hooker Tani Fuga got caught in one such move and had to be stretchered off for treatment.

From then Quins’ ambition seemed subdued, allowing Sharks more opportunities in attack.

Luke McAlister closed in on a second score when he chipped over the defence but he knocked on with the unprotected tryline in his sights.

Hodgson added a penalty to put Sharks within a point of the hosts.

England Sevens captain Andy Vilk, who was making his first appearance for Sharks this season, then grabbed his first senior try.

Unsupported, he sprinted along the wing for 40 metres before crossing in the corner. Hodgson converted and added a penalty just before half-time.

Leading 20-11 at the break dominant Sharks looked comfortable in the second-half, Hodgson adding a further penalty.

Then disaster struck as Sheridan was shown a yellow card for punching George Robson, during a scuffle between the pair. Juan Lobbe was next to the sin-bin as Quins continued to push forward.

The hosts’ third attacking line-out ensured they retained possession and scrum-half Danny Care made it count, crossing for a try.

Flanker Michael Hills spent a second week as a substitute on the wing, after Vilk hobbled off, but still Sharks’ 13 men battled bravely to prevent further breaches.

The climax was tense but Sharks held on for a deserving victory to players’ obvious delight.