Sale Thwarted by Hodgson Blow

Jones 4 England
By Jonathan Noad
January 19 2004

Sales European hopes hang on a knife edge now needing to win their remaining two fixtures. In the away fixture at Lansdowne Road the Sharks got a much deserved and eye opening (for Leinster) victory. Nine days later however it was Leinster that took the spoils.

An army of Sale fans travelled across the Irish Sea to enjoy the weekend and with the hope of an away win. Few, however, were quite prepared for the match that was to unfold before them. Right from the kick off Sale had the bit between their teeth and wanted this game. The Sale fans knew it and the opposition knew it. Sale, uncharacteristically, took the lead first through a penalty from the boot of Hodgson. This was soon however cancelled out by a well worked run up which allowed Corrigan to crash over the line and O’Meara adding the extras to send the home side into a 7-3 lead. Sale were not about to lie down and a great burst by in form winger Mark Cueto led to Scottish international Jason White scoring a try which Hodgson duly converted. It wasn’t to last though as Leinster added a further penalty and a quick drop goal to send them 13-10 ahead. Sale again battled towards the Leinster line with the Irish sides indiscipl;ine allowing Hodgson to add a penalty. This followed shortly after by England prospect Chris Jones powering over the line in the corner and Hodgson kicking an exquisiste conversion to send Sale in at half time 13-20 ahead.

In the second half Leinster came out fighting and scored two further penalties and a drop goal without reply to send them into a 22-20 lead. Sale still looked dangerous though and finally the ball was presented perfectly for Charlie Hodgson to do a “Jonny” and kick a drop to send Sale once more into the lead at 22-23. The referee played a huge amount of injury time to keep the fans pulses racing but finally blew to the relief and cheers of the travelling Guinness fuelled faithful. As for the after match socialising in the Mespil - that will live long in the memory and Sale legend.

Nine days later Leinster popped over to Stockport for the home fixture missing the injured Brian O’Driscoll. The Group was now wide open with Cardiff having beaten Biarritz the previous day. Sale started brightly with Steve Hanley crossing the Leinster line after only six minutes following a charge down of a kick. Hodgson duly converted and added two penalties to Leinsters one penalty to send the Sharks 13-3 clear.

Leinster, much like Sale the week before, were not going to give up and broke the solid Sale defence a number of times before finally Irish International Horagn sent winger McWeeney clear for a deserved try. The Leinster cause was further aided by Sales hero Charlie Hodgson banging his troublesome knee and having to leave the field shortly before half time. Hodgson was clearly dictating the Sale game plan and set the back line up nicely so his loss was felt. Leinster also suffered with injuries with Eric Miller being replaced at half time and the impressive Victor Costello leaving the field shortly after half time.

The loss of playmaker Hodgson was to prove costly though as the game swung to Leinster. Hodgsons replacement Braam van Straaten missed two kickable penalties and added one. Leinster, however, added two penalties and a further converted try from Burke to send them into a seven point lead. Sale did not give up though and kept fighting right to the end going close on a number of occasions.

Despite the loss Sale are still able to go through to the next round if the remaining fixtures go their way. One worries though that the ability of the team to go through may well depend on the inspirational Hodgsons injury clearing quickly. Even if they fail to reach the quarters Sale have proved they can mix it with the big boys of Europe and have got some quality players to become a force with Chris Jones, Jason White and Matt Cairns looking very impressive in both legs.

Leinster 22-23 Sale, Lansdowne Road, Friday 9th January 2004

Leinster Lions: G Dempsey; J McWeeney, B O'Driscoll, S Horgan, G D'Arcy; M Leek, B O'Meara; R Corrigan (capt), S Byrne, P Coyle, M O'Kelly, B Gissing, E Miller or A McCullen, V Costello, K Gleeson.
Replacements: J Moran, G Hickie, D Dillon, S Jennings, B O'Riordan, B Burke, D Quinlan.
Tries: Corrigan
Cons: O'Meara
Pens: O'Meara 3
Dg: D'Arcy, O'Meara

Sale Sharks: J Robinson; M Cueto, C Mayor, G Bond, S Hanley; C Hodgson, B Redpath; A Sheridan, A Titterrell, S Turner, C Jones, D Schofield, J White, S Pinkerton, A Sanderson (capt).
Replacements: M Cairns, K Yates, B Stewart, I Fullarton, M Lund, V Going, R Wigglesworth .

Tries: White, Jones
Cons: Hodgson 2
Pens: Hodgson 2
Dg: Hodgson


Sale 16-23 Leinster, Edgeley Park, Sunday 18th January 2004

Sale: Robinson, Cueto, Mayor, Bond, Hanley, Hodgson, Redpath, Yates, Cairns, Turner, Fullarton, Schofield, White, Sanderson, C. Jones.
Replacements: Going for Mayor (68), van Straaten for Hodgson (35), Stewart for Turner (67), Lund for Schofield (56).
Not Used: Roddham, Day, Wigglesworth.

Tries: Hanley
Cons: Hodgson
Pens: Hodgson 2, van Straaten

Leinster: Dempsey, McWeeney, D'arcy, Horgan, Burke, Warner, O'Meara, Corrigan, S. Byrne, Coyle, O'Kelly, Gissing, Miller, Gleeson, Costello.
Replacements: McCullen for Miller (40), Dillon for Costello (44).
Not Used: Bohan, G. Hickie, O'Riordan, Leek, Quinlan.

Tries: McWeeney, Burke
Cons: O'Meara 2
Pens: O'Meara 3