Sale secured their place in the Powergen Cup final with a thoroughly deserved
victory over Leeds in an entertaining encounter at Edgeley Park on Saturday.
The Sharks ran in four tries to the Tykes' two to book a date with Newcastle
or Pertemps Bees at Twickenham.
Jason Robinson, Iain Fullarton - who announced he will join Saracens
next season - Steve Hanley and Chris Mayor all crossed for the victorious
Sharks.
The Sharks were were quickly into their stride and almost created an opening
in the first few minutes when Richard Wigglesworth chipped ahead looking for
Hanley.
Mike Hercus kept the visitors pinned back with some superb kicking and he had
a hand in the opening try when he put Wigglesworth in the clear and his clever
offload sent Robinson darting over.
Hercus made no mistake with the conversion but Gordon Ross immediately pegged
the lead back to four points as he landed a penalty for the Tykes.
The Sharks remained in control however as a flowing move created the space for
Fullarton to touch down in the corner.
Ross added another penalty but Sale took a firm grip on the game before the
interval as Hercus landed two penalties of his own and Hanley streaked away for
a trademark try. Hercus' touchline conversion gave the home side a 25-6 lead at
the break.
Sale lost centre Graeme Bond early in the second half with a head injury but
there was no let up in pace and a dazzling 40-metre run by Robinson almost
created another try for Hanley.
Dan Hyde attempted to kick-start a Leeds fightback but he was unable to find
his way past Sharks captain Pete Anglesea.
The Tykes finally broke through after 67 minutes when Dan Scarbrough sprinted
clear to touch down in the corner.
Ross' conversion cut the Sharks' advantage to 25-13 but the home side hit back
with a Hercus drop goal.
Scarbrough added his second try as full-time approached but it was too late
for the Tykes.
Mayor rounded off a good afternoon's work by finishing off a flowing move to
score Sale's fourth try as stoppage time approached.
Teams:
Sale: Robinson, Cueto, Baxendell, Bond, Hanley, Hercus,
Wigglesworth, Yates, Cairns, Stewart, Fullarton, White,
Sanderson, Anglesea, C. Jones.
Replacements: Mayor for Bond (50), Going for Hanley (77),
Titterell for Cairns (60), Day for Fullarton (74),
Schofield for Anglesea (67).
Not Used: Turner, Walshe.
Tries: Robinson, Fullarton, Hanley, Mayor.
Cons: Hercus 2.
Pens: Hercus 2.
Drop Goals: Hercus.
Leeds: Cardey, Scarbrough, Christophers, Snyman, Albanese,
Ross, Dickens, Shelley, Regan, Kerr, Hooper, Palmer, Rigney,
Hyde, Popham.
Replacements: Davies for Albanese (80),
Stuart-Smith for Dickens (58), Holt for Regan (67),
Powell for Kerr (67).
Not Used: Murphy, Morgan, Hodge.
Tries: Scarbrough 2.
Cons: Ross 2.
Pens: Ross 2.
Att: 6,752
Ref: D Pearson (RFU).
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