PWR: Sale 15-12 Harlequins - Rhona Lloyd guides Sharks to narrow win

Harlequins started fast, launching their first attack almost immediately. However, the home side defended well. Sale quickly turned defence into attack, with Rhona Lloyd opening the scoring for the afternoon.

With twenty minutes played, momentum was firmly with the home side as Sale continued to launch attacks and pile pressure on the Harlequins defence.

Those sustained attacks eventually paid off. A driving maul resulted in Amy Cokayne scoring Sale’s second try of the game, and with Lizzie Duffy adding the extras, the hosts extended their lead to 12 points.

Quins attempted to turn the tide, but sloppiness from the visitors meant their first points had to wait. They continued to push forward, though, and with five minutes remaining in the first half, a try from Clàudia Peña closed the gap.

Sale finished the half strongly and on the front foot. Lizzie Duffy successfully kicked a penalty in the 40th minute to stretch the lead to ten points.

The second half began with Sale taking on more of a defensive role as Harlequins applied sustained pressure. However, the home side’s defence stood firm.

With half an hour to play, both teams introduced changes in an attempt to break the deadlock. In the 57th minute, Harlequins were the ones to make the breakthrough, with Quins captain Jade Konkel scoring a try. A successful conversion from Ella Cromack reduced the deficit to just three points.

Despite several solid attacking phases from Harlequins in the final quarter, Sale withstood the pressure and held on to secure the victory.

Tries: Lloyd (13’), Cokayne (23’)
Conversions: Duffy (24’)
Penalties: Duffy (40’)

Starting XV: 1 Tysh Harper, 2 Amy Cokayne, 3 Nick James, 4 Morwenna Talling, 5 Erica Jarrell-Searcy, 6 Eva Donaldson, 7 Georgie Perris-Redding (c), 8 Brittany Hogan, 9 Olivia Ortiz, 10 Holly Aitchinson, 11 Asia Hogan-Rochester, 12 Katana Howard, 13 Evie Wills, 14 Rhona Lloyd, 15 Lizzie Duffy

Replacements: 16 Milly Hyndman, 17 Molly Wright, 18 Evie Roach, 19 Charlotte Fray, 20 Sharifa Kasolo, 21 Shona Campbell, 22 Beatrice Rigoni, 23 Katie Childs

Tries: Peña (34’), Konkel (56’)
Conversions: Cromack (57’)

Starting XV: 1 Zara Green, 2 Carys Phillips, 3 Lizzie Hanlon, 4 Fi McIntosh, 5 Jade Konkel (C), 6 Liana Mikaele-Tu’u, 7 Sara Svoboda, 8 Aoife Wafer, 9 Emma Swords, 10 Ella Cromack, 11 Freya Aucken, 12 Lagi Tuima, 13 Clàudia Peña, 14 Lauren Torley, 15 Kayleigh Powell

Replacements: 16 Maja Meuller, 17 Laura Delgado, 18 Ruby Winstanley, 19 Abbie Fleming, 20 Maddy Page, 21 Lucy Burgess, 22 Beth Wilcock, 23 Lisa Neumann