Quins 'not proud' of sloppy win
Sale dominated proceedings before the break but only led 7-3, thanks to captain Dan Braid's try.
To their credit, Quins came out firing after half-time and Tim Visser's try, combined with the boot of Nick Evans, put them 16-7 ahead before Sam James' score narrowed the gap to just two.
But Sale flyhalf Danny Cipriani missed a late penalty and drop-goal attempt as the hosts hung on to win 16-14.
However, following impressive victories against Wasps and Bath, in addition to a narrow defeat to Leicester Tigers this term, O'Shea acknowledges his team didn't quite meet their own high standards in the contest.
"We've started the season well, but this match was not a performance we can be proud of," said the Irishman.
"I don't care about winning and losing and I never have – I care about the way you play and the energy you bring.
"For 20 minutes in the second half we did well to get a 16-7 lead, but then we let it go.
"We said before the game we wanted to show people what we're about and there won't be too many people afraid.
"We've got a win which we potentially didn't deserve but I know where we're at as a team because of how well we've played over the last few weeks."
Sale took the lead as Visser spilt Cipriani's high ball – Sharks captain Braid pouncing on the wing's error to bundle himself over from five metres out.
An Evans penalty either side of half-time made it 7-6 and the hosts took the lead when Visser spectacularly gathered his flyhalf's cross-field kick to dot down.
James muscled his way over the line from a clever Cipriani switch to narrow the gap but the England flyhalf then missed the late chances as Quins survived.
And after giving a talented Harlequins side all they could handle, Sale Director of Rugby Steve Diamond is convinced the future is bright for his troops.
"We've got to be pleased with our performance but we just didn't get the end result," said Diamond, whose team now has two wins and two losses this term.
"We know we're a competitive side but one or two little things let us down, which resulted in us not winning the game.
"The frustration is because by half-time we had all the ball. But fair play to Quins – they're a good side, and to get a bonus point from here, some people would be grateful for and I've got to be."
Source: @premrugby
