England A lock Chris Jones galloped for a sensational 50-metre try as Sale
Sharks inflicted a second defeat of the season on champions Leicester Tigers.
At a point where Leicester had worked their way back into the game from 19-6
down to sit ready to pounce within three points of the Sharks, the 22-year-old
collected the ball from scrappy play just inside his own half, saw the line and
ran.
Austin Healey tried in vain to halt his progress but Jones outstretched his
6ft 6ins frame and touched down under the posts.
Charlie Hodgson kicked 20 points, including the conversion of the Sharks' two
second-half tries, from Jones and Nick Walshe, which were just reward for their
approach to the game.
Champions Leicester beat the Sharks home and away last season and there was a
feeling around the club that the Tigers had Sale's number.
But Sharks created the perfect balance, marrying defensive solidity with their
natural attacking flair into a winning formula.
Leicester's Tim Stimpson came into the game on 999 Premiership points and his
first effort at breaking the four-figure barrier was an audacious drop goal from
the half-way line.
It missed, but Sale were pinned back and after two skewed clearances
eventually conceded a penalty in front of the posts, and Stimpson duly converted
to make Premiership history.
The penalty, which earned Stimpson a golden boot, relieved much of the
pressure for the hosts.
Hodgson replied in kind to level the scores and for a period the Sharks took
the game by the scruff of the neck, but after creating chances and stretching
the Leicester defence they were twice let down by poor handling.
First it was Jason Robinson and then Jos Baxendell who spilled passes inside
the Tigers' 22, spurning the chance of crucial scores midway through the first
period.
The Sharks pushed and probed at the Leicester defence but with the visitors,
renowned for playing on the edge, repeatedly caught offside Hodgson landed two
further penalties.
Stimpson replied with the boot once more, but his trusty right then let him
down from 45 metres, allowing Hodgson to open up a 12-6 advantage by the
interval.
And it was extended to 13 points within five minutes of the restart as Sale
proved how lethal they can be with ball in hand.
Peter Anglesea began the move with fine run and offload to Dan Harris down the
right and, though the initial threat was snuffed out, Robinson kept the pressure
firmly on Leicester.
The England star gathered Stimpson's clearance and scythed 30 yards back
through the visitors' defence.
The ball was transferred wide, back to Harris who jinked inside and to within
inches of the line for Walshe, a first-half replacement for Bryan Redpath, to
dive over.
Hodgson slotted over the afters, but the Sharks almost immediately shot
themselves in the foot.
Martin Corry was caught offside on halfway, but before the referee had the
chance to brandish his yellow card, Andy Titterell dived in and the penalty was
reversed.
From a kickable position, the Sharks had sacrificed possession and Leicester's
response was to kick for touch and throw on the big boys up front.
On came Dorien West and Graham Rowntree, sparking renewed life in Leicester,
who swamped the Sharks line.
The hosts held Leicester at bay for phase after phase of play until, with the
Sharks line drifting left, harry Ellis picked up and charged straight to score
under the posts.
Stimpson converted and then Healey added a drop goal from an angle to bring
Leicester within three points and leave the game tantalisingly poised.
Until, that is, the leggy lock emerged from a crowd of players to stride to
his sensational score.
Leicester threw on Neil Back but, try as they might, there was no way through
and Hodgson's 77th-minute penalty sealed the win to leave the packed Heywood
Road crowd throbbing and the band playing into the night.
Teams
Sale: Robinson, Cueto, Baxendell, Harris, Hanley, Hodgson,
Redpath, Titterrell, Thorp, Stewart, C. Jones, Lines,
A. Sanderson, Pinkerton, Anglesea.
Not Used: Marais, Yates, Schofield, Perelini, Deane, Going,
Walshe.
Tries: Walshe, C. Jones.
Cons: Hodgson 2.
Pens: Hodgson 5.
Leicester: Stimpson, Booth, Gelderbloom, Naufahu, Tuilagi,
Healey, Ellis, Freshwater, Chuter, Tournaire, M. Johnson,
Deacon, Short, Kronfeld, Corry.
Not Used: Kay, Rowntree, West, Vesty, Tierney, Back, Hipkiss.
Tries: Ellis.
Cons: Stimpson.
Pens: Stimpson 2.
Drop Goals: Healey.
Att: 5,678
Ref: Tony Spreadbury (RFU).
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