Sharks secure runners-up spot
May 12, 2002

Sale Sharks clinched second place in the Zurich Premiership with a stunning six-try 40-11 victory over Harlequins in front of a full house at Heywood Road.

Sale needed the bonus point to guarantee finishing just behind champions Leicester and ahead of Gloucester but their season is far from over as they look forward to the European Shield final in a fortnight's time as well as the play-offs.

Quins' Paul Burke broke the stalemate after 17 minutes with a penalty but their lead was short-lived as just two minutes later Sale broke out of defence and winger Mark Cueto touched down to become the leading scorer in the Premiership.

Charlie Hodgson converted and Sale looked to be heading for another easy victory but Quins dug in and defended well to remain just four points behind at the interval.

Sale struck early after the break with centre Mel Deane powering through under the posts for Hodgson to convert.

Replacement fly-half Mark Mapletoft added the second penalty for Quins and then former Sale winger Matt Moore ran in a try against his old club to put Quins back in the game.

Sale's third try was scored by Cueto, giving him a grand total of 13 for the season and the vital fourth try came from England's new boy Hodgson who converted his own try.

With second place secured, Sale turned on the style and rounded the day off with tries from Charl Maraix and Jos Baxendell.

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