Harlequins beaten in Premiership Cup Final after late Sale Sharks comeback
Harlequins suffered a painful late defeat at the hands of Sale Sharks in Monday's nailbiting Premiership Cup Final clash.
Paul Gustard's side led 19-17 with just minutes remaining at AJ Bell Stadium on Monday night, only for South African duo Faf de Klerk and Robert du Preez - whose brother Dan also notched an important second-half try - to combine to snatch victory away from Quins in agonising fashion.
2019 World Cup-winning Springbok scrum-half De Klerk hared over down the blindside with Sale hanging on to a 20-19 lead and Du Preez's touchline conversion put Steve Diamond's side 27-19 ahead as the clock ticked down.
Sharks' last trophy triumph came 14 years ago when they won the Premiership title, while Quins, who played their full part in a nerve-jangling final, were denied their first silverware since their Anglo-Welsh Cup success in 2013.
Quins led 16-10 at half-time, fighting back from 10-0 down through James Chisholm's converted try and three penalties from fly-half Marcus Smith.
Curtis Langdon's converted touchdown and Du Preez's penalty had given Sale a head start, but Smith's 50th-minute penalty put Quins 19-10 ahead.
Sale back row Dan du Preez's 66th-minute touchdown and brother Rob's conversion hauled their side to within two points of their opponents.
Rob du Preez's 75th-minute penalty edged Sale ahead and De Klerk's late effort, which Rob du Preez converted, put the result beyond doubt.
Additional reporting by the Press Association.
