Tries from Tom Williams, Nick Easter and Charlie Matthews, coupled with the kicking prowess of Ben Botica, who only missed one kick in the evening, allowed Harlequins to build a 7-30 lead.

With 10 minutes to go, Sale raced back to within nine points thanks to two late tries and were chasing the all-important losing bonus point. Despite their efforts, the Harlequins defence prevented that luxury.

The visitors were caught napping in the early stages of the match and Sale took a lead after just 90 seconds.

With a turnover in midfield, the ball was shipped wide to the Premiership's top try scorer Mark Cueto. The winger drew in Tom Williams and passed to Cameron Shepherd on the left wing. The full-back went on a looping run past Ross Chisholm and Ugo Monye to score. Danny Cipriani added the extras to give Sale an early 7-0 lead.

Harlequins, making a habit of chasing an early deficit, worked their way back into the game through the boot of Botica who kicked two penalties within 20 minutes, both from roughly 40 metres out.

The game lacked momentum in its early stages with the vast majority being played between the respective 22 metre lines. As the game approached the half hour stage, Sale were reduced to 14 men with the sin binning of Sam Tuitupou. The centre was penalised for repeated infringements at the break down.

With this one man advantage, Harlequins began to gain momentum. Sale defended well, but eventually the defence broke down.

Karl Dickson picked from the base of a ruck in midfield and made light work of the defensive line. Running down the touchline, he drew in three defenders. The break was coupled with the great support running from Williams who came off his wing and worked to the midfield. Dickson passed to the unmarked winger and he scored under the posts. With the easiest of conversions, Botica extended the lead to 7-13.

The fly-half had the chance to extend the lead on half time, but his attempt from far out went wide, keeping the six point lead at the break.

In the second half, Botica once again stepped up and converted a long range penalty when Sale failed to roll away at the breakdown.

As the game approached the hour mark, it was the visitor's turn to play with 14 men. Maurie Fa'asavalu was shown yellow after exchanging fists with Marc Jones.

Despite Sale taking the early pressure from the sin bin period, it was Harlequins that came of better from it. When Sale conceded a penalty deep in Harlequins' 22, Karl Dickson changed the momentum.

His quick tap penalty and dash up field allowed Harlequins to attack in the Sale half. Powerful running from Jordan Turner-Hall, Nick Easter and Wallace brought Harlequins right up to the line. The ball was spun wide and Botica's grubber through forced Sale to carry the ball into touch.

From the resulting lineout, Harlequins set up a driving maul. Captain Easter held the ball well at the back and bundled over the try line. The ever reliable Botica added the extras to extend the lead to 7-23.

When Harlequins returned to 15 men, Dickson was again key in the build-up to the third try on 70 minutes. From a lineout on the Sale 22, the scrum-half made a half break which brought Harlequins metres short. Recycling possession quickly, the ball found Matthews who powered over the line. Botica extend the lead.

It was Harlequins that were chasing the bonus point in the final 10 minutes, but after two quick tries from Richie Vernon and Tony Buckley, it was now the hosts that were after a bonus point.

Vernon had made a great impact for the Sharks and when he made a second break into the Harlequins half, he outran Chisholm to score.

The Sharks were then capmed on the Harlequins line in the final minutes and after three lineouts five metres short, they finally crossed the whitewash again, through Buckley after a rolling maul.

When Will Addison made a break in the 80^th minute, Sale looked to have carved an opening to get within the all-important seven points, however a monstrous tackle forced a knock-on and Charlie Matthews kicked to touch for the victory.