Try-happy Quins head for Europe with Care on top form
HARLEQUINS finished the first phase of the Premiership season with their best display to date with five tries in a vivid performance although a spirited Sale staged a storming second half come back to earn themselves a try bonus.
Danny Care, fired up by finding a kindred spirit in Faf de Klerk opposite him, had Quins ticking over beautifully. His wayward pass in the second half, which Sam James intercepted to score, was the only blemish in a nigh on perfect display from the England scrum-half.
Care demonstrated he was in the mood right from the start with a delightful chip from the kick-off which saw Joe Marchant steaming into wide open space and Care repeated the exercise soon after with an even better effort to create Quins’ opening try.
Quins moved the ball left quickly after Chris Robshaw had dived in to secure a 50-50 possession and with Tim Visser calling for quick ball, Care conjured up a delicious inch-perfect kick off the outside of his right boot. High quality stuff.
Marcus Smith, another to enjoy a fine game, converted from wide and added the extras for two more first half-tries from Quins. The first came when Joe Marler burrowed over and then Joe Marchant charged down James’ clearance kick and won the chase for the touchdown.
Quins were fast disappearing out of sight but Sale finally landed a blow on the half hour when Mike Haley, one of the best steppers in the Premiership, tiptoed his way through the Quins defence for a fine individual try.
A brace of penalties from Smith ensured Quins had the final word before the break and they virtually put the game to bed soon after half-time when Care again showcased his football skill – and telepathy with Visser – to put the Scotland wing away for another well-taken try.
Job done, or so it seemed, but Sale have demonstrated many times that they can accumulate points quickly when they get hot and with Quins perhaps resting on their laurels ever so slightly, Steve Diamond’s team started to bend their backs.
Tongan prop Halani Aulika plunged over for a try from short range, James sprinted 60 yards for his intercept try and then Ross Harrison moved the visitors to within nine points of Quins when he forced his way over for a bonus point try.
With six minutes left the game was suddenly still in the balance, but Quins were not in the mood to waste all their hard graft and Marland Yarde sealed victory with three minutes left.
The result confirmed, the end of the game was enlivened by a scuffle on the touchline between Tim Swiel and Byron McGuigan which resulted in the pair receiving two of the more pointless yellow cards you will ever see.
So it’s Europe now for a couple of weeks with Quins entertaining La Rochelle in the Champions Cup while Sale host Toulouse in the Challenge Cup. Quins will be in good heart save for their injury problems, while Sale will know they have to make sure their defence starts matching their potent attack.