Harlequins went top of the fledgling Aviva Premiership table thanks to another superb kicking performance by Kiwi flyhalf Nick Evans during the 26-13 victory over Northampton Saints.

Evans booted over 16 points from six attempts and has now scored from 13 consecutive kicks at goal in two games to start the season.

Both teams won their opening game last weekend which meant the victors topping the Aviva Premiership, if only for 24 hours

Meanwhile, Sale bounced back from their opening-day Premiership defeat at Worcester to ignite their campaign with a hard-fought 30-29 win and condemn London Irish to a second consecutive loss.

The Sharks edged an absorbing encounter which saw them claim two first-half tries from Henry Thomas and James Gaskell before scrumhalf Dwayne Peel went over for a decisive second-half score.

The Exiles, who touched down in the first half through David Paice and Jonathan Joseph, at least went home with a losing bonus point thanks to the expert kicking of fullback Tom Homer, who kicked seven goals from as many attempts.

Harlequins 26-13 Northampton Saints

Scorers:

For Harlequins
Tries: Monye, Gray
Cons: Evans 2
Pens: Evans 4

For Northampton
Try: Tonks
Con: Myler
Pens: Myler, Lamb

Teams:

Harlequins: 15 Mike Brown, 14 Ross Chisholm, 13 George Lowe, 12 Jordan Turner-Hall, 11 Ugo Monye, 10 Nick Evans, 9 Karl Dickson, 8 Chris York, 7 Will Skinner, 6 Chris Robshaw (captain), 5 George Robson, 4 Ollie Kohn, 3 Tim Fairbrother, 2 Joe Gray, 1 Joe Marler.
Replacements: 16 Chris Brooker, 17 Mark Lambert, 18 James Johnston, 19 Charlie Matthews, 20 Luke Wallace, 21 Richard Bolt, 22 Rory Clegg, 23 Sam Smith.

Northampton Saints: 15 Greig Tonks, 14 Tom May, 13 Jon Clarke, 12 James Downey, 11 Noah Cato, 10 Stephen Myler, 9 Martin Roberts, 8 Phil Dowson (captain), 7 Ben Nutley, 6 Calum Clark, 5 Christian Day, 4 Samu Manoa, 3 Brian Mujati, 2 Andy Long, 1 Alex Waller.
Replacements: 16 Mike Haywood, 17 Paul Doran Jones, 18 Tom Mercey, 19 Mark Sorensen, 20 James Craig, 21 Stuart Commins, 22 Ryan Lamb, 23 Scott Armstrong.

Sale Sharks 30-29 London Irish

Scorers:

For Sale
Tries: Peel, Gaskell, Thomas
Cons: Macleod 3
Pens: Macleod 2, Miller

For London Irish
Tries: Joseph, Paice
Cons: Homer 2
Pens: Homer 5

Teams:

Sale Sharks: 15 Rob Miller, 14 Tom Brady, 13 Andrew Higgins, 12 Will Addison, 11 Joaquin Tuculet, 10 Nick Macleod, 9 Dwayne Peel, 8 Mark Easter, 7 David Seymour (captain), 6 James Gaskell, 5 Fraser McKenzie, 4 Kearnan Myall, 3 Henry Thomas, 2 Joe Ward, 1 Lee Imiolek.
Replacements: 16 Neil Briggs, 17 Aston Croall, 18 Henry Thomas, 19 Tom Holmes, 20 Scott Mathie, 21 Jordan Davies, 22 Kyle Tonetti, 23 Charlie Amesbury.

London Irish: 15 Tom Homer, 14 Topsy Ojo, 13 Jonathan Joseph, 12 Steve Shingler, 11 Marland Yarde, 10 Dan Bowden, 9 Darren Allinson, 8 Chris Hala'ufia, 7 Alex Gray, 6 Kieran Roche, 5 Matt Garvey, 4 Nick Kennedy, 3 Leo Halavatau, 2 David Paice, 1 Clarke Dermody (captain).
Replacements: 16 James Buckland, 17 Max Lahiff, 18 Mark George, 19 Tom Alexander, 20 Ed Siggery, 21 Adam Thompstone, 22 Guy Armitage, 23 Paul Hodgson.