Sale 5-45 Harlequins: Jess Breach hat-trick has Quins nudging top spot
GUILDFORD, ENGLAND - JANUARY 18: Jess Breach of The Harlequins runs with the ball during the Tyrrells Premier 15s match between The Harlequins and Darlington Mowden Park at Surrey Sports Park on January 18, 2020 in Guildford, England. (Photo by Luke Walker/Getty Images)
Sale ………………..5
Harlequins……45
HARLEQUINS moved to within one point of leaders Saracens thanks to a hat-trick from England wing Jess Breach.
After Sale missed their chance to take an early lead when penalised at their maul, a break on the half-way line by second row Katy Mew carried Quins deep into Sharks territory and looked to offer Breach a glimmer but Lisa Neumann was able to bundle her opponent into touch.
Sale continued to push but couldn't find the clinical edge needed to score and that allowed Quins to take full advantage on 20 minutes through Leanne Riley's sniping run which set up halfback partner Ellie Green.
With Amy Cokayne absent for Gerard Mullen, a maul gave way to a break down the blindside for hooker Elle Bloor, who fended off four defenders on her way to the line from 35 metres out.
Harlequins made their experience count in the second half as England star Breach this time beat Neumann to the line, and crossed again for her second on 56 minutes.
The forwards ensured there was no stopping Harlequins when tighthead prop Shaunagh Brown extended the score to 33-0, prior to Alex Eddie being sent to the bin for Quins.
Sale managed to get their first points on the board in the final six minutes as Katy Daley- Mclean charged over.
But Breach and lock Abbie Ward concluded proceedings.
