George Ford's accurate kicking proved decisive as Sale secured a hard-fought victory over Harlequins in a scrappy opening-weekend clash. The match, played in challenging conditions with heavy rain in Salford, was more about grit and determination rather than free-flowing rugby. Harlequins displayed plenty of resolve throughout, but it was Ford's boot that made the difference.
Sale led 9-8 at half-time, with no points scored in the second half until Leigh Halfpenny nudged Quins ahead with a long-range penalty on his Premiership debut. Ford's two early penalties had given Sale a 6-0 lead, and the atrocious weather conditions made attacking play difficult, emphasizing the importance of penalties.
Quins managed to score the game's only try through Jack Walker, but Halfpenny missed the conversion. As the match progressed, both Ford and Halfpenny exchanged penalties, making it 9-8 in Sale's favor at the break. Despite bringing on key players like Danny Care and Marcus Smith, Quins struggled to find fluency in their attack.
With nine minutes left, Halfpenny's penalty put Quins ahead, but Ford responded with a crucial penalty from out wide, his fourth of the game, to restore Sale's lead. Sale held on to their one-point advantage, despite a couple of late scares.
