SALE LEAVE SARRIES FEZZED OUT

Best Sale Try!
By Jonathan Noad
November 22 2003

Sale set the tone for a fantastic weekend of rugby that will live long in the memory. The Sharks were easy winners against Saracens and should have come away with the full five points were it not for some stubborn defending from the Fez boys.

The boot of van Straaten was again impressive as was the touch kicking of Hodgson who is now reaching full match fitness.

Sale came into this game full of confidence after their second win over Leicester at Welford Road this season. Chris Mayor came into the line up for Stan who has a slight groin strain. Other than that the team was as has been. The game was dominated by outstanding defence from both sides and it was not until the nineteenth minute when Saracens infringed and van Straaten was able to punish them with his boot. Two minutes later Saracens again infringed with BVS knocking the ball between the posts. Seven minutes later the pack of Sale drove wonderfully over the Saracens try line for Chris Jones to score a try. The Sale pack is certainly much beefier this season and is a match for any other this season. BVS duly converted to send Sale into a 13-0 lead with the chanting of Sayul Sayul in the teams ears to urge them on. Staright afterwards Sale infringed to allow former Tiger Andy Goode with yet another hair style to score a penalty. Just before half time though that was cancelled out by a further penalty for BVS from sustained Sale pressure.

Sale carried on their momentum at the start of the second half but the Saracens solid defence held on. The Sale faithful gave Basil a massive cheer as he took the pitch in place of Nick Walshe. Immediately the ball was coming out much faster with the usual Redpath urgency. BVS added a further penalty and new signing Jason White took the field for his home debut. Shortly after a further impressive drive by the Sale pack led to Barry Stewart scoring his first try in Sale or rather Sharks colours. BVS duly converted before being substituted for the rugby god that is Jos Baxendell. Sale were now hungry for the bonus point and this came nearer following some typically abrasive forward movement from Vaughan Going who set up Mark Cueto to score. With BVS off the pitch the conversion was slotted between the posts by Charlie Hodgson coolly. Considering he had been out for so long the kick was pretty special as it was way out on the wing.

Sale continued to apply pressure to seek the bonus point amidst the crowd singing “Swing Low Sweet Chariot”. The Sarries defence held firm determined not to let the Sharks have it. The ref finally blew for Sale to win convincingly 33-3.

Sale seem to be playing with some real confidence now and it is just at the right time with World Cup players returning and the start of he Sharks second Heineken Cup campaign in two weeks time. Charlie was again in sublime form and must surely be looking forward to a Six Nations campaign – I would also not be surprised to see a few others being promoted to the full England team either. My man of the match Sir Charles – watch out Jonny. My Sale try of the weekend – well it wasn’t at Edgeley Park it was a mere 10,000 miles away where our very own Billy Whizz scored a superb try to help England become world champions - FANTASTIC

SCORING DETAILS

3-0 PENK 19 Min (Van Straaten)
6-0 PENK 21 Min (Van Straaten)
11-0 TRY 29 Min (Jones)
13-0 CONV 29 Min (Van Straaten)
13-3 PENK 30 Min (Goode)
16-3 PENK 37 Min (Van Straaten)

HALF TIME SALE SHARKS 16 SARACENS 3

19-3 PENK 52 Min (Van Straaten)
24-3 TRY 59 Min (Stewart)
26-3 CONV 59 Min (Van Straaten)
31-3 TRY 74 Min (Cueto)
33-3 CONV 74 Min (Hodgson)

FULL TIME: SALE SHARKS 33 SARACENS 3

TEAMS

Sale Sharks

15 Going; 14 Cueto; 13 Van Straaten; 12 Bond; 11 Mayor; 10 Hodgson; 9 Walshe; 8 C. Jones; 7 Pinkerton; 6 Sanderson; 5 Schofield; 4 Fullarton; 3 Stewart; 2 Cairns; 1 Sheridan

Replacements: 16 Titterell; 17 Yates; 18 Turner; 19 White; 20 Lund; 21 Baxendell; 22 Redpath

Scorers: Jones (1T) Stewart (1T) Cueto (1T) van Straaten (2C, 4P) Hodgson (1C)

Saracens

15 Haughton; 14 , Bailey; 13 Johnston; 12 Little; 11 O'Mahony; 10 Goode; 9 Williams; 8 Randell; 7 B Russell; 6 Roques; 5 Chesney; 4 Raiwalui; 3 Broster; 2 Marsetrs; 1 Bergamaschi

Replacements: 16 R Russell; 17 Sparks; 18 Skirving; 19 Legge; 20 Kirton; 21 Castaignede; 22 Cech.

Scorers: Goode (1P)