HODGSON GIVES SIR CLIVE SOMETHING ELSE TO CHEER AB

Sweet Drop
By Jonathan Noad
December 9 2003

Sale stand off Charlie Hodgson broke Cardiffs hearts by mirroring Jonny Wilkinsons drop goal in Sydney in front of a watching Clive Woodward. It seems that anything Jonny can do so can Charlie who has come back fantastically from a career threatening injury.

The opening fixture of Sales Heineken Cup campaign was a thriller played out in front of a capacity 10,500 plus crowd at Edgeley Park. Before the game Clive Woodward walked the pitch the Webb Ellis trophy to the tune of We Are the Champions. The biggest cheer, however, was directed the way of World Cup try scoring hero Jason Robinson who returned to the Sale side for the first time since May.

Cardiff started the brighter of the two teams with several surging runs leading to Tom Shanklin touching down after only two minutes. Former league star Iestyn Harris missed the conversion struggling with the new lighter balls for this competition. Following some sustained pressure from Sale they were rewarded with a penalty which the reliable Braam van STRAATEN (doesnt the announcer just love saying that!) knocked between the posts. However this was soon cancelled out by a penalty from the boot of Harris. Sale were however soon back in the lead when some good work from the barnstorming forwards set up flyer Mark Cueto to touchdown with van Straaten converting to take the Sharks into a 10-8 lead. The lead was short lived however and Sales current trend of indiscipline showed again gifting the Blues two further penalties and man mountain Sheridan spending ten minutes in the sin bin. Cardiff led 10-14 at the interval.

In the second half Sale came out fighting with BVS knocking over two further penalties. Some heavy Sale pressure finally led to the pack falling over the line for Andrew Sheridan to redeem himself by touching down much to Cardiffs disgust. Despite the breathing space Cardiff were still determined and despite missing a drop goal attempt Harris banged over a penalty. This followed shortly after by some hard work for Nathan Thomas to touchdown. Harris duly converted for Cardiff to go one point in front with the clock ticking down. The crowd sensed a grandstand finish and in World Cup style were treated to a coolly taken drop goal from the boot of Sir Charles. The match finished 26-24 to give Sale an important victory after last seasons dismal Heineken Cup campaign.

The capacity crowd were treated to a great game of rugby as befitted the presence of Bill, Herr Flick and Billy Whizz. This should do wonders for the game in the North West even with the price of Diet Coke.

Sale Sharks 26 Cardiff Blues 24 (HT: 10-14)

Sale Sharks:

V Going; M Cueto, B van Straaten, G Bond, J Robinson; C Hodgson, B Redpath; A Sheridan, A Titterrell, B Stewart, D Schofield, I Fullarton, J White, A Sanderson (capt), C Jones.

Replacements: M Cairns, S Turner, C Day, M Lund, C Mayor, J Baxendell, N Walshe

Scorers: Cueto (1T), Sheridan (1T), van Straaten (2C, 3P) Hodgson (1DG)

Cardiff Blues

R Williams; T Shanklin, J Robinson, M Allen, C Morgan; I Harris, R Powell; J Yapp, G Williams, D Crompton, C Quinnell, A Moore, D Baugh, M Williams (capt), N Thomas.

Replacements: B Evans, K Fourie, H Senekal, J Brownrigg, A Moore, N Robinson, N Walne.

Scorers: Shanklin (1T), Thomas (1T), Harris (1C, 4P)

Attendance: 10,541 (sell-out)