England fly-half Charlie Hodgson booted a 79th-minute drop-goal to inflict a
second successive defeat on defending Zurich Premiership champions Wasps in a
thrilling contest at Causeway Stadium.
The Heineken Cup holders appeared to have sealed a share of the spoils when
Mark van Gisbergen slotted a penalty four minutes from time but Hodgson - who
finished with 15 points - snatched a dramatic victory for Sale.
It was high-octane stuff throughout with the blistering scoring rate slowing
only in the final 20 minutes when nerves seemed to get the better of both sides
and the 7,011 crowd will have left thoroughly entertained.
Wasps may feel disappointed not have made more of their first-half chances and
their failure to turn possession into points contributed to their downfall and
Sale's growing confidence.
The Sharks appear a more rugged outfit than in recent seasons and certainly
possess more firepower up front with the arrival of Sebastien Chabal and Pierre
Caillet adding much needed beef.
But it was two club stalwarts who did the real damage - Hodgson thanks to his
assured kicking and former England winger Steve Hanley through a devastating
brace of tries which saw him mark his 100th Premiership appearance in the
perfect manner.
It was an early foray from Hanley which set up the first points of the
afternoon with skipper Jason Robinson on target with a simple drop-goal.
The Sharks full-back was in the thick of the action again moments later, this
time making a try-saving tackle on his England colleague Josh Lewsey who was
held up over the line.
Wasps unleashed a sustained assault on the visitors' line and a try seemed
certain until a handling error from prop Tim Payne allowed Sale to counter with
Mark Cueto supplying the scoring pass to Robert Todd.
Hodgson converted but Warren Gatland's side slashed the deficit to three
points when a beautifully executed scissors saw Lewsey feed Peter Richards whose
perfect running line swept him over the whitewash.
Alex King slotted the extras but there was little time to breath with the
match continuing at a frantic pace - to the delight of the crowd who were being
treated to some mesmerising play.
Payne atoned for his earlier error by claiming the next try when a flat pass
from Matt Dawson allowed Tom Voyce to burst through and feed his front row
team-mate for a simple stroll across the line.
King rifled over the conversion and at 14-13 the tempo of the match eased
slightly, although there was plenty of open rugby on show as both teams looked
to make the most of the perfect conditions.
A long-range penalty from King extended Wasps' lead but Sale stormed back in
front a minute from half-time when Hanley intercepted a loose pass from Lawrence
Dallaglio and romped home for a try converted by Hodgson.
Wasps were not done yet as King slotted his second penalty from a tricky angle
to steal a share of the half-time spoils but predictably the lead changed hands
moments after the interval.
Cueto began the move from deep but his crab-like run across the pitch was
going nowhere until he slipped the ball to Hanley who ran straight and ghosted
past Dallaglio and Matt Dawson on the way to touching down.
Hodgson made no mistake with the extra two points but the score was levelled
by an easy try from Dawson who dived over in the corner after a powerful attack
from Wasps. King had limped off, allowing Mark van Gisbergen to make a
successful start to the kicking duties.
Former England hooker Phil Greening was brought on in the 50th minute by
Gatland for his first appearance since recovering from the toe injury which has
kept him sidelined for the past eight months.
Richards then strayed offside giving Hodgson another shot at goal which he
gratefully accepted to nudge Sale into a 30-27 lead.
Wasps went desperately close to crossing in the 76th minute but were kept at
bay by some heroic defence from Sale who eventually found the pressure too much
and strayed offside, conceding a penalty which van Gisbergen stroked over.
But the final act of the afternoon belonged to Hodgson who stroked over the
sweetest of drop goals with just a minute left on the clock to claim a victory
Sharks fans will remember for some time to come.
Teams:
Wasps: van Gisbergen, Lewsey, Erinle, Richards, Voyce, King,
Dawson, Payne, Gotting, Green, Skivington, Birkett, Worsley,
O'Connor, Dallaglio.
Replacements: Brooks for King (46), Greening for Gotting (48),
Mackenzie for Green (77), Hart for Skivington (61).
Not Used: Hoadley, Lock, Priscott.
Tries: Richards, Payne, Dawson.
Cons: King 2, van Gisbergen.
Pens: King 2, van Gisbergen.
Sale: Robinson, Cueto, Baxendell, Todd, Hanley, Hodgson,
Martens, Sheridan, Titterell, Turner, Caillet, Schofield,
Jones, Lund, Chabal.
Replacements: Hercus for Hanley (48), Redpath for Martens (48),
Stewart for Turner (60), Woodman for Caillet (48),
White for Schofield (53), Bruno for Chabal (69).
Not Used: Rhys Jones.
Tries: Todd, Hanley 2.
Cons: Hodgson 3
Pens: Hodgson 2.
Drop Goals: Robinson, Hodgson.
Att: 7,011
Ref: Roy Maybank (Kent).
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