Charlie Hodgson scored 21 points as Sale continued their unbeaten Premiership
run against Leeds.
But having started the game needing five points to ensure a home draw in the
Zurich Premiership play-off wild cards, they could only manage three tries and
so fell short.
Sale took the lead after just 10 minutes with a controversial try from Chris
Rhys Jones.
As so often it started with a piece of quick thinking from Jason Robinson, who
took a quick line-out to himself deep in his own half and turned a defensive
position into attack.
Sale moved the ball towards the right corner but as number eight Chris Jones
was bundled towards the line the touch judge's flag went up at the moment he
flicked the ball back into play.
Leeds seem to stop but Rhys Jones strolled over and referee Tony Spreadbury
awarded the try.
Charlie Hodgson added the conversion and slotted home two long-range penalties
before Leeds troubled the scorers.
After Mark Regan won a scrum against the head, Sale conceded a penalty
converted by Gordon Ross and with two minutes to go before the break the Tykes
grabbed a try.
Diego Albanese made a half-break close to the line and Dan Hyde smuggled the
ball over.
Ross' conversion attempt came back off the post and on the stroke of half-time
more slackness by Leeds gave Hodgson a third successful penalty attempt to see
his side turn round 16-8 in front.
The Sharks' fly-half continued to dominate at the start of the second half,
edging his side further into the lead with a deft drop goal and then starting
and finishing a move down the right touchline for Sale's second try.
With a comfortable cushion the visitors were now able to go looking for the
two further tries they needed to earn the five points they were chasing.
A minor fracas saw Gary Powell and Phil Davies sin-binned, opening up more
space for the Sale backs who were helped by Leeds' basic mistakes and
indiscipline.
But the Tykes were brave in defence and Sale lacked the guile to break them
down and instead it was Leeds who pulled a try back when Matt Cardey sliced
through the back line to score, Duncan Hodge adding the conversion.
With two minutes left, Sale gave themselves hope with a piece of
straightforward back play that saw Mark Cueto crash over in the corner.
A minute later he was sin-binned, Tom Palmer crashed over for Leeds' third try
and Sale had to settle for just four points.
Teams:
Leeds: Cardey, Rees, Davies, Hodge, Albanese, Ross, Dickens,
Powell, Regan, Kerr, Murphy, Palmer, Rigney, Hyde, Popham.
Replacements: Scarbrough for Albanese (54),
Clayton for Ross (54), Rawlinson for Regan (65),
Morgan for Murphy (40), Cusack for Rigney (59),
Ponton for Hyde (69).
Not Used: Walker.
Tries: Hyde, Cardey, Palmer.
Cons: Hodge.
Pens: Ross.
Sale: Robinson, Cueto, Mayor, Rhys Jones, Hanley, Hodgson,
Benton, Stewart, Titterell, Turner, Day, White, Anglesea,
Perrett, C. Jones.
Replacements: Going for Rhys Jones (80),
Hercus for Hodgson (80), Roddham for Titterell (80),
Schofield for Day (63), Davies for Anglesea (52).
Not Used: Halsall, Wigglesworth.
Tries: Rhys Jones, Hodgson, Cueto.
Cons: Hodgson 2.
Pens: Hodgson 3.
Drop Goals: Hodgson.
Att: 4,036
Ref: Tony Spreadbury (RFU).
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