Sale 53 Bristol 47

By Sarah
April 25 2002

The Heywood Road crowd of 3609 were treated to a show of eleven tries though to Sale fans five of the tries were unwelcome. We enjoyed flashes of brilliance and endured periods of frustration when our defence lapsed and reminded the faithful of seasons past.

Sales first try came 7 minutes into the game following a period of sustained pressure Martin Shaw scored the first try of his hat-trick under the posts. Charlie Hodgson converted it. Penalties were exchanged in the second ten minute period of the game.

The next try was scored by Mel Deane with a strong contribution from Pete Angelsea who had come on as a blood replacement for Alex Sanderson. Pete had earlier been welcomed back as he walked to the subs bench by a rousing cheer from the Birtles.

Bristol came back with a Contepomi penalty towards the half hour mark, and that was quickly followed up with a try for Jason Little. Sale kept their noses ahead with two more penalties for Charlie and then a gift of a try for Chris Jones. He was practically given the ball at a Bristol line-out and wasted no time in crossing the line.

At half-time the points stood at 28 -13 for Sale. The score reflected the play, Sale were comfortably in charge.

Dean Ryan must have had a word or two with his side during half time, they came out all guns blazing and within two minutes David Rees had scored a well worked try. Both teams got penalties and then Bris flanker Michael Lipman intercepted a Mel Deane pass on the half way line and outsprinted Sale's finest to score.The outspoken in the Birtles were geting very frustrated, 28-13 had turned into 31-30 in quarter of an hour.

Gradually Sale asserted themselves again and we were treated to some fine rugby. Martin Shaw scored his second try then Jason Robinson got through under the posts. At the end of normal time Shaw finished off his hat-trick. But even three tries down, Bristol were not out. They dug deep and found scores for full-back Lee Best and replacement fly-half Shane Drahm in injury time. Sale were fortunate still to have the six point cushion when the whistle finally blew.

Perhaps I am biased but I got the strong impression that Sale's brilliance scored their tries whilst it was Sale's lapses that allowed Bris to score theirs. Many Sale fans showed disappointment with the ref, Bristol's final try was scored following a clear fumbling knock on right under the refs nose. I cannot understand why the touch judges don't involve themselves more and act as referee's assistants to keep the ref more fully aware of facets of play he may have missed.

A good though somewhat frustrating game. MOM went deservedly to Chris Jones. Good to see the return in steely form of Pete Anglesea and debut of loan prop Barry Stewart.

Sale team: Jason Robinson; Mark Cueto, Martin Shaw, Mel Deane (Dan Harris, 64), Steve Hanley; Charlie Hodgson, Bryan Redpath (capt) (Alan Dickens, 76), Kevin Yates, Andy Titterrell (Charl Marais, 56), Adam Black (Barry Stewart, 76), Iain Fullarton (Pete Anglesea, 64), Scott Lines (Mark Giacheri, 76), Chris Jones, Alex Sanderson (Richard Wilks, 76), Stuart Pinkerton.

Bristol team: Lee Best; David Rees, Andrew Higgins (Jamie Williams, 74), Jason Little (capt), Phil Christophers, Felipe Contepomi (Shane Drahm, 70), Agustin Pichot, Darren Crompton, Neil McCarthy (Saul Nelson, 58), Julian White, Garath Archer, Alex Brown (Chris Morgan, 74), Andrew Sheridan, Ben Sturnham, Michael Lipman.