Harlequins needed a second-half comeback to secure a narrow 16-14 win over Sale Sharks at Twickenham Stoop in the Aviva Premiership this evening.

After a quiet start to the match, Dan Braid opened the scoring from the visitors, gathering the ball after a drop from Tim Visser before leaping over for the try.

Quins saw plenty of the ball as half time approached, but had to settle for a Nick Evans penalty to get off the mark just before the break.

It did not take the hosts long to edge ahead after the break though as Visser made amends for his mistake in the first half, sprinting down the wing to haul in a chip forward from Evans, grounding the ball in the corner.

Evans added another penalty to extend Harlequins' lead further, but Sale quickly closed the gap as Sam James benefited from a lengthy spell of pressure, powering across for a second Sharks try.

Danny Cipriani had a chance to win it inside the final 10 minutes when Sale were awarded a penalty late on, but the fly-half's finish was just wide, allowing Quins to hold on for the victory.

The win leaves Harlequins second in the table, while Sale sit fifth.