Sale slashed Gloucester's lead at the top of the Zurich Premiership to four
points with a routine victory over Newcastle at Heywood Road.
England fly-half Charlie Hodgson, making his first home appearance for three
months following knee surgery, was at the heart of the Sharks' five-try
demolition, controlling the game at number 10 and booting 13 points.
Powerhouse centre Dan Harris was also in fine form, making big inroads into
the Falcons' midfield throughout, and capped his night's work with a first-half
individual try.
Mark Cueto added a brace while England full-back Jason Robinson rounded off a
trademark long-range break with a finish of the highest quality. Winger Steve
Hanley wrapped up the scoring with a 77th minute try.
All bottom-placed Newcastle, six points adrift of Bath, could manage in reply
was a solitary penalty from full-back Liam Botham and with just eight league
games left to play they are in serious trouble.
They enjoyed long spells in possession but sorely lacked the firepower
necessary to break through the Sharks' defence and by the end of the night they
looked utterly demoralised.
Their forwards are in desperate need of beefing up and the arrival of former
Springbok second row Mark Andrews cannot come soon enough.
Club captain Jonny Wilkinson, still recovering from his shoulder injury, is
also sorely missed and while his brother Mark tried gamely to fill his shoes, he
is no substitute for the England star.
Newcastle showed glimpses of what they can do though and they made a
blistering start, breaking clear in the second minute through winger Jamie Noon
whose neat side-step carved open Sale's back line.
Flanker Jon Dunbar was on his shoulder in support but the final pass failed to
find its mark and the move was brought to a close.
Sharks skipper Bryan Redpath should have made more of a fine opportunity
moments later when he had two men spare outside him only for his pass to sail
behind the onrushing Hanley.
A five-minute stoppage ensued after James Christian picked up a heavy knock
and the Falcons hooker had to be stretchered off.
When play resumed Hodgson made the most of a penalty awarded at the the last
breakdown by stroking over an easy three points.
Newcastle spent the next 10 minutes camped in their opponents' half and a
series of line-outs - interrupted by a frantic dust-up between Hall Charlton and
Andy Titterell - put the the Sharks under enormous pressure.
The home defence held firm, eventually winning a scrum which allowed them to
clear the ball to safety.
Although still deep in their own half, Sale launched a quick counter-attack
after some neat work from Redpath and Harris which swept them deep into the
Falcons' territory.
The only way Newcastle could snuff out the threat was to stray offside but
referee Robin Goodliffe was aware of the infringement, awarding the Sharks a
penalty which Hodgson kicked.
Botham notched the visitors' only points of the night with a 32nd minute
penalty but two tries in first-half injury-time effectively ended Newcastle's
hopes for the night.
Harris notched the first after a barnstorming run through the middle of the
Falcons' defence and winger Cueto went over in the right corner in the 44th
minute following some slick handling.
Hodgson made one of the conversions and nine minutes into stoppage time added
a third penalty to give his side a healthy 21-3 interval lead.
Cueto was in action again six minutes after the break when he made the most of
a searing break from Hodgson by gathering up the final pass and crossing in the
corner.
Newcastle enjoyed a promising spell but the Sharks are deadly on the
counter-attack, a feature of the game they showed to good effect when Robinson
slashed through the Falcons' ranks from deep in his own half for a blistering
solo score.
Hanley then intercepted a loose Falcons pass with three minute to go to end a
miserable night for the visitors who have now not won a league match since
October
Teams:
Sale: Robinson, Cueto, Harris, Bond, Hanley, Hodgson,
Redpath,
Yates, Titterrell, Stewart, C. Jones, Schofield, A. Sanderson,
Pinkerton, Anglesea.
Replacements: Marais, Turner, Fullarton, Davies, Baxendell, Going,
Walshe.
Tries: Cueto 2, Harris, Robinson, Hanley.
Cons: Hodgson 2.
Pens: Hodgson 3.
Newcastle: Botham, Noon, May, Mayerhofler, Stephenson,
M. Wilkinson, Charlton, Ward, Christian, Hurter, Vyvyan,
Grimes, Dunbar, Mower, Newby.
Replacements: Grindal, Godman, Isaacson, Makin, Hamilton, Shaw,
Taione.
Pens: Botham.
Att: 5,678
Ref: Robin Goodliffe (Sheffield).
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