SALE SHARKS 32

NORTHAMPTON SAINTS 20

Guinness Premiership Round Two

Edgeley Park

Saturday, September 9, 2006

The opening 10 minutes of Saints' visit to the Premiership champions was memorable for its feistiness as much as anything. Twice play had to be stopped so that fights could be broken up and there would be a yellow card mid-way through the half.

But there was also inventiveness shown, notably by Oriol Ripol - who opened up his former clubmates inside the first 30 seconds - and Steve Thompson, who at a penalty spied Carlos Spencer free on the far side and attempted an audacious cross-kick. Unfortunately the kick just was not strong enough, Saints failed to use the space and Sale cleared.

Charlie Hodgson opened the scoring in the seventh minute, and increased the lead with a second penalty in the 17th minute. More crucial however was the departure of Paul Tupai to the sin-bin for the use of a shoulder in the tight. For while Bruce Reihana pulled three points back two minutes later, the extra man told half-way through the big Samoan's punishment when several phases opened Mark Cueto's way to the line; Hodgson adding the conversion.

Given time and space by the speedy and accurate recycling of his pack, Hodgson continued to use his boot to great effect, slotting two drop-goals and a penalty in the space of seven minutes to move Sale 19 points ahead.

Having said that, Saints began to get up a head of steam themselves as the break rapidly approached. And they showed what could be done - particularly Daniel Browne, who slipped a magnificent off-load in the move - when space was created for Sean Lamont to score his first Guinness Premiership try of the season. Reihana converted and Saints went into the break with the comparatively morale-boosting scoreline of 22-10.

The visitors' try-scoring form continued in the second period's opening gambit. Again the score came after good phase play and off-loading with Lamont and replacement Dan Richmond to the fore. Reihana provided the final incisive run and pass for Tupai to redeem himself in the corner. Reihana missed the conversion but Saints were back in the match at 22-15. Sale were stung, and only a magnificent Lamont tackle on Chris Mayor denied them an immediate reply.

The hosts got their second try in the 54th minute, but Saints will be kicking themselves they conceded the score. Richmond had done the hard work by winning the ball during a tackle on Sebastien Chabal. But Sale's defence were in Saints' faces as the visitors tried to clear, and Magnus Lund's chargedown of Reihana's kick was almost inevitable. Lund touched down, Hodgson converted and Saints were 14 points behind.

Lund did not help his side's cause by getting sin-binned five minutes later. But Saints did not take advantage and Hodgson's fourth penalty extended the lead once more.

Saints will take heart from the final 10 minutes though. They threatened repeatedly, largely through Robbie Kydd's evasive runs from full-back and - thanks again to Reihana - a third try was created, again for Lamont. Saints' captain missed the conversion, leaving the score at 32-20, which remained until the final whistle.

Teams:
Sale Sharks - Robinson (capt); Cueto, Mayor (Taylor 59mins), Bell, Ripol; Hodgson, Wigglesworth (Foden 72mins); Sheridan (Stewart 40-52mins), Bruno (Gaona 68mins), Evans (Stewart 52mins), Jones (Tait 72mins), White, Fernandez Lobbe, Lund, Chabal (Day 59mins).

Northampton Saints - Kydd; Lamont, Reihana (capt), Quinlan, Diggin; Spencer, Robinson (Vass 70mins); Smith, Thompson (Richmond 28mins), Barnard (Budgen 74mins), Damien Browne (Lord 57mins), Short, Tupai, Fox (Lewitt 68mins), Daniel Browne (Easter 68mins).

Scorers:
Sale Sharks - Tries: Cueto, Lund; Cons: Hodgson (2); Pens: Hodgson (4); Drop-goals: Hodgson (2).

Northampton Saints - Tries: Lamont (2), Tupai; Con: Reihana; Pen: Reihana.

Yellow cards:
Tupai (17mins)
Lund (59mins)

Attendance:
9,418