Sale Lighting Start Holds Saracens Fight Back

Going - In Form
By Jonathan Noad
November 17 2002

Following the disappointing loss away at basement Bath last weekend the Sharks had a point to prove. The Sharks will have been keen to show Jim Mallinder and Steve Diamond what they could do and opened the scoring in the first minute achieving the bonus point level within 25 minutes.

Saracens got off to a poor start by bringing the wrong kit with them, which clashed with Sales strip. Thus they had to play wearing Sales change strip from two seasons ago.

Sale were out of the starting blocks faster than Maurice Greene. From the kick off the ball went to in form full back Vaughan Going who burst forward to send powerhouse centre Dan Harris over in the first minute. Shortly after Saracens, opting for a kicking game, sent the ball to Mark Cueto who sped along the touchline with Nick Walshe in support. The ball then span out to Steve Hanley who charged his way over in typical style. Within 10 minutes the Sharks scored another starting the move deep in their own half. Pete Anglesea chipped the ball ahead which Hanley got on the end of and forced his way over. 17-0 and the game seemed dead and buried already.

Saracens, however started to fight back, and a slip in the normally well organised Sharks defence allowed wing Haughton over for a try. Andy Goode also added a penalty. The Sharks, however, sprang into life again this time sending over the reliable Stuart Pinkerton for a typical flankers poach. Sale had now secured a bonus point which have been sadly missing so far this season. At the interval Sale had a commanding lead of 24-8.

Saracens must have had a roasting at half time in the dressing room as they came out a completely different team. Following the break there was an exchange of penalties before. Sale scored a cracking try with Mark Cueto dashing down the wing before feeding Vaughan Going who finished the move with aplomb. Saracens, however, continued their fight back with the forwards punching holes in the Sale line. This was rewarded by tries for Johnstone and Califano together with a drop goal from Aussie veteran Tim Horan. Nick Walshe added a further penalty to keep Saracens just out of reach.

This was a good win for the Sharks especially given injury problems and international call ups. It will give the team some confidence before a tough away fixture at Wasps and a home game against Bath. It was also good to see line out specialist Ian Fullerton return in abrasive style.

SALE SHARKS 37

Going; Cueto, Harris, Bond, Hanley; Baxendell, Walshe; Turner, Marais, Yates; Jones, Schofield; Anglesea, Pinkerton, Davies.

Replacements: Rodham, Thorpe, Stewart, Fullerton, Lund, Deane, Wigglesworth.

Scorers : Walshe (3C, 2P), Harris (T), Hanley (2T), Pinkerton (T), Going (T)

SARACENS 26

Winnan; Haughton, Sorrell, Horan, O'Mahony; Goode, Bracken; Flatman, Cairns, Califano; Quinnell, Hooper; Chesney, Roques, B. Russell

Replacements: Marsters, Kershaw, Benazzi, Peacey, Kirton, Johnston, Sparg.

Scorers : Goode (2P), Winnan (C), Horan (DG), Haughton (T), Johnston(T), Califano (T)