# Sale edge Harlequins in thriller with late penalty try

> Sale Sharks come from behind to beat Harlequins 28-24 with a 73rd-minute penalty try, extending their winning run against Quins to five games.
- Title: Sale edge Harlequins in thriller with late penalty try
- Summary: Sale Sharks come from behind to beat Harlequins 28-24 with a 73rd-minute penalty try, extending their winning run against Quins to five games. Sale beat…
- Keywords: sale sharks, harlequins, premiership rugby, marcus smith, penalty try, rugby union, sports, Sale, edge, thriller, late, penalty
- Source: BBC Sport — https://bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/cwe9lgx1rjk2o
- Published: 2026-10-11T16:03:45.374+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: sale sharks, harlequins, premiership rugby, marcus smith, penalty try, rugby union, sports
## Smith returns as Quins start strong
Marcus Smith, returning from a finger injury, scored twice in the opening quarter as Harlequins built a 17-14 half-time lead against Sale at CorpAcq Stadium.
## Sale fight back through the middle
Sale scored tries through Elia Canakaivata and Gus Warr to stay in the contest, with Harlequins' Sam Riley adding a bonus-point try in the 53rd minute.
## Bamber levels it up for the Sharks
Ben Bamber scored for Sale after a break by Nicky Smith, and a line-out steal from Courtney Lawes kept the Sharks within striking distance late on.
## Ridley awards the decisive penalty try
Referee Christophe Ridley awarded a penalty try in the 73rd minute after a rumbling maul pushed Quins back 30 metres and Riley pulled the ball down near the line.
## Ridley sends Riley to the sin-bin
Harlequins hooker Sam Riley was sent to the sin-bin for the infringement that led to the penalty try, ending any chance of a Quins comeback.
## Gilmore praises effort despite loss
Harlequins head coach Jason Gilmore told BBC Radio Manchester: "I'm really proud of the boys' efforts up here. Performance will dictate the shirts."

> I'm really proud of the boys' efforts up here. Performance will dictate the shirts.
## Sanderson warns of tougher tests ahead
Sale director of rugby Alex Sanderson said: "We were chasing the game all day. If you can win playing badly, then that's a good sign." Glasgow visit next week.

> If you can win playing badly, then that's a good sign.
## Key takeaway

Sale beat Harlequins 28-24 with a late penalty try to record their fifth successive win against Quins, leaving Harlequins rooted to the foot of the Prem table.