Missed kicks cost Quins dearly (From This Is Local London)

Missed kicks cost Quins dearly

11:23am Monday 7th October 2002 in

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Sharks 20 Harlequins 16, A spirited display from Harlequins, who led for much of this game, was not enough to overcome Sale Sharks and stand-off Charlie Hodgson, who scored 15 points (writes DALE HARRY).

Quins, without an away league win for 18 months, were missing internationals Alex Codling, Will Greenwood, Dan Luger, Keith Wood, and Paul Burke but started well when backrower Pat Sanderson went over for a try after just five minutes.

Slemen was unable to convert - his first of four misses for the day - and Sale quickly hit back with a Hodgson penalty.

Both sides then struggled for continuity before a Nathan Williams drop-goal in the 31st minute put Quins further ahead.

Slemen, covering for the injured Burke at fly-half, struck a penalty to push his side into a 11-3 interval lead.

Quins had done enough in the first half to suggest that if they continued in the same manner they could win the game.

But almost immediately after the break Hodgson broke clear and scampered over for Sale's first try of the match, then added the conversion himself.

A few minutes later and Slemen was given another penalty chance - and an opportunity to strike back immediately - after the hosts were penalised at a lineout, but his kick drifted wide.

Mistakes crept into proceedings as the game went on, however, Sale managed to take control of the match midway through the second half with winger Mark Cueto beating three men along the touchline before running the ball behind the posts to score.

With Hodgson's conversion, Quins needed a converted try themselves to win it. Up popped Sherriff to score following a Quins lineout near the goal area but Slemen's conversion kick once again lacked direction.

As play resumed the ball was quickly back in Quins territory for man-of-the-match Hodgson to seal it with a drop goal.

Harlequins: Jason Leonard, Tani Fuga (Luke Sherriff, 79), Laurent Gomez (Bruce Starr, 61), Bill Davison, Jim Evans, Ace Tiatia, Pat Sanderson, Tony Diprose, Scott Bemand (Nick Duncombe, 56), David Slemen, Ben Gollings, Viliame Satala, Nick Greenstock, Matt Moore, Nathan Williams.

Harlequins scorers: tries - Sanderson, Sheriff; pens - Slemen; d.goal - Williams. Sale scorers: tries - Hodgson, Cueto; pens - Hodgson; con - Hodgson 2; d.goal - Hodgson.

Harlequins entertain Newcastle this Saturday (3.00pm) and should have Will Greenwood and Alex Codling back in the side. Nick Greenstock and Jim Evens will return to the bench.

Keith Wood will be out of action for a month with a knee injury.