Sale produce second-half masterclass to thump Quins

The Prem.

Sale (12) 43

Wills, Cowan-Dickie, Vermeulen, Ma’asi-White, Quirke, Jibulu Cons: Ford 2, Du Preez 2, and others.

Harlequins (17) 17

In a stunning second half performance, Sale completely outscored Harlequins on Boxing Day with five tries.

Marcus Smith and Jack Walker scored tries at the start and end of the half, giving Quins a five-point lead at the break.

In the second period, the Sharks fell to the ground in Greater Manchester, but the visitors put up 31 unanswered points with tries from Rekeiti Ma’asi-White, Raffi Quirke, and former Quin Nathan Jibulu.

The Quins’ annual “Big Game” at Twickenham failed to go according to plan against Bristol last weekend, when they were led by 26-0 at half-time and ultimately lost 40-14.

With this point on their hands, Smith capitalized on Luke Cowan-Dickie’s quick lineout to give them a commanding lead.

However, the hosts soon took control of the game, with Cowan-Dickie driving home from the maul to make amends for his earlier error before Alex Wills scored his second Prem try.

The visitors were in control at the break thanks to Jack Walker’s try in the final act of the first half, but the Sharks’ lead didn’t last much longer as they recovered to completely dominate the second half.

Vermeulen’s first two tries, his first since joining the club from Exeter, helped them win the match and put them in the lead after the collapse of Harlequins.

After Ma’asi-White’s try, Quirke, who had been moved out of the wing, launched a long kick forward into the corner and launched a spectacular chase to find Smith on his own line, gave up the match’s most memorable moment.

As he attempted to catch the ball, the England fly-half slipped as he was just moved to full-back, leaving Quirke free to score his team’s fourth goal of the half.

The visitors had already been well beaten by Jibulu by the fifth goal. Before heading to Northampton on Saturday, Jason Gilmore’s side will need to bounce back from two devastating defeats.

Replacements: Jibulu, McIntyre, John, Burrow, Dugdale, Warr, Ma’asi-White, and Wehr.

Harlequins: David, Isgro, Beard, Northmore, Murley, Smith, Porter, Hobson, Walker, Williams, Petti, Treadwell, Kenningham, Lawday, Cunningham-South

Replacements: Friday, J Evans, Bradley, J Green, Wenger, Delgado, and J Green.