Harlequins began the match in the best possible way. When Chris Robshaw stole the kick-off, the home side immediately attacked. Storming runs from George Lowe and James Johnston brought the side to within five metres of the try line. When the ball found Monye, the winger made good ground. With the help of Joe Marler, he bundled over for his third try in two games. Evans converted and Quins lead 7-0 on three minutes.
After missing an initial penalty on five minutes, Danny Cipriani put his side on the board from the boot five minutes later.
When Sam Tuitopou broke through the Harlequins line on 23 minutes, this lead to Sale's first try. With an overlap on the left wing, the ball was shipped to Vernon on the edge of the 22. From here, the number 8 ran in to score. Cipriani missed his third kick of the afternoon and the Sharks took a 7-8 lead.
A promising chance for Harlequins in the latter stages of the first half was broken down when Danny Care knocked an offload on after Quins turned over possession in midfield.
Although disappointed, the home crowd did not have to wait long for the score they were after. From a lineout, Nick Easter provided quick ball to Care, the scrum-half shipped to Evans who skipped through the defence, with Turner-Hall in support the centre gained possession and showed great strength to score after a double tackle from Rob Miller and Richie Gray. With the conversion Harlequins lead 14-8 on 35 minutes.
Harlequins ended the half strongly with good possession and territory in the Sale half. Despite promising runs from Turner-Hall, Brown and Lowe, ill-discipline broke their attack down and Quins lead 14-8 at the break.
Five minutes into the second half and Evans extended the lead to 17-8 through the boot. Sale then threatened the Harlequins line in the moments following, but strong defence from Tom Williams on Vernon, prevented the Sale number 8 a second score.
It was then the turn of Harlequins to attack and their offloading game was at its best. Despite the attack being broken down from a knock-on, the forward pack dominated in the resulting scrum and won a penalty. Evans extended the lead to 20-8.
on 55 minutes Sale enjoyed territory in the opposing 22. Strong defence from Lowe and Monye shut the visitors out and despite preventing a five point Sharks score, Cipriani clawed back three points from the boot just after the hour mark.
In response Harlequins looked to have bounced back with a try from Evans, but Tim Wigglesworth ruled that he had fumbled it. A penalty advantage was being played, so Evans was able to knock over an easy penalty for a 23-11 lead, before Cipriani added another penalty for his side.
It was here that Harlequins scored two tries to double their total and secure the bonus point. George Robson crossed first following a break from Nick Easter. Joe Gray came close to the line, but when the ball reached Robson the second-row scored his second try in two games.
The second try came with a piece of luck. A Nick Evans cross field kick found the hands of Tom Brady, the winger fumbled the ball into touch, giving Harlequins possession inside the Salle 22 in the final two minutes. As the home side worked the phases close to the line, Mike Brown bundled over to score. Evans converted on both occassions giving Quins a 37-14 win.
