Marcus Smith and Quins make big statements
MATCH REPORT: Marcus Smith starred with 24 points as Harlequins shattered Sale Sharks’ unbeaten start to the English Premiership season with a 29-13 victory on Sunday.
Smith led Harlequins to their third win this season on his 100th appearance in the Premiership.
The England flyhalf touched down close to the posts from Danny Care’s pass.
Smith’s try came after his kick forward provided the assist for the opening score by Nick David.
Sale held a brief lead when Sam James’ try was followed by two Rob du Preez penalty kicks.
But their hopes of starting the season with a sixth successive Premiership win were ended by Smith’s boot as he finished by hammering five penalties through the uprights, including four in the second half.
The scorers
For Sale Sharks
Try: S James
Con: R du Preez
Pens: R du Preez 2
For Harlequins
Tries: David, Smith
Cons: Smith 2
Pens: Smith 5
The teams:
Sale Sharks: 15 Joe Carpenter, 14 Tom Roebuck, 13 Sam James, 12 Manu Tuilagi, 11 Tom O’Flaherty, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Raffi Quirke, 8 Daniel du Preez, 7 Tom Curry, 6 Jono Ross (captain), 5 Jonny Hill, 4 Cobus Wiese, 3 Nick Schonert, 2 Ewan Ashman, 1 Bevan Rodd.
Replacements: 16 Tommy Taylor, 17 Simon McIntyre, 18 James Harper, 19 Josh Beaumont, 20 Jean-Luc du Preez, 21 Gus Warr, 22 Sam Hill, 23 Arron Reed.
Harlequins: 15 Tommy Allan, 14 Nick David, 13 Joe Marchant, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Cadan Murley, 10 Marcus Smith, 9 Danny Care, 8 Archie White, 7 Will Evans, 6 Jack Kenningham, 5 Irne Herbst, 4 Dino Lamb, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Jack Musk, 1 Joe Marler (captain).
Replacements: 16 Sam Riley, 17 Santiago Garcia Botta, 18 Simon Kerrod, 19 George Hammond, 20 Matas Jurevicius, 21 Lewis Gjaltema, 22 Will Edwards, 23 Lennox Anyanwu.
Referee: Christophe Ridley
Assistant referees: Peter Allan, Wayne Falla
TMO: Rowan Kitt
