Harlequins' sluggish Premiership start worsens as a late penalty try hands Sale victory at CorpAcq Stadium and a third straight defeat.
Harlequins' difficult start to the Premiership season has turned into a full-blown slump. A late penalty try for Sale at CorpAcq Stadium sealed their third consecutive defeat of the campaign.
The decisive moment came deep in the contest, when Sale's pressure at the set piece forced the referee's hand. A penalty try is the harshest sanction in the sport, and it left Harlequins with little time to respond. For a side that has spent the opening weeks searching for rhythm, it was a painful way to lose.
For Sale, the result is a timely boost. They showed the composure to stay in the contest and the physical edge to punish their opponents when it mattered. Wins like this, secured late and under pressure, can set the tone for a long league season.
For Harlequins, the concern is now real. Three losses from three is an uncomfortable position in a league where every point counts, and the margin for error is already shrinking. They will need to tighten up in key moments and find consistency, or the gap to the sides above them will keep growing.
