Jason Robinson produced a devastating masterclass in finishing as Sale Sharks
overcame high-flying Worcester to record their fifth-successive Guinness
Premiership victory.
The former England captain notched a superb try in either half and added a
late drop goal as the Sharks overcame the absence of 10 players to edge seven
points clear.
Sale were missing seven players on international duty and a further three
absent through injury and suspension, but Robinson's crucial contribution kept
the Sale bandwagon rolling.
The Sharks skipper was outstanding throughout and helped secure a scrappy but
deserved victory for Philippe Saint-Andre's side, who are showing no signs of
relinquishing their position at the summit.
Sale were ahead after four minutes when Daniel Larrechea converted a penalty
but the visitors drew level barely 90 seconds later through Shane Drahm's
superbly-executed drop-goal.
Larrechea had an opportunity to edge Sale ahead with a long-range penalty
which he failed to convert, before missing again from distance just three
minutes later.
The Frenchman suffered further ignominy after 26 minutes when he missed his
third penalty of the night to add to the malaise of a drab opening period.
However, the contest finally began to warm up four minutes before the interval
when Worcester's Johnny Tuamoheloa was sin-binned for persistent offending on the
edge of his own line.
Valentin Courrent spared Larrechea any further embarrassment by seizing
kicking responsibilities for the resulting penalty and duly converted to restore
Sale's advantage.
The Sharks finally found their bite as the interval approached, producing a
devastating spell of attacking rugby which reaped rich dividends.
A strong break from the Premiership leaders saw the ball pass through five
pairs of hands in a bewildering array of inter-passing which found Robinson in
space on the left flank.
The Sharks skipper showed blistering pace to outstrip the visiting defence and
crash over the line in the left-hand corner.
Courrent converted again to hand Sale some breathing space at 13-3, but
spirited Worcester caught the hosts cold just three minutes after the restart.
The impressive Drahm collected the ball from the scrum before selling the home
defence a delightful dummy which allowed him to saunter over the line
unopposed.
The Warriors fly-half failed to convert and Sale took just four minutes to
reassert their authority on proceedings with another splendid try from
Robinson.
More superb handling in midfield from Sale saw the ball worked out to their
skipper, who again outpaced the visitors' defence with a scampering run and
touchdown in the left-hand corner.
Courrent failed to convert and although Drahm took his points tally to 13 with
another penalty after 52 minutes, Courrent did likewise shortly after the hour
mark to hand Sale a healthy advantage at 21-13.
The Warriors continued to battle but Robinson's late drop-goal put the icing
on the cake for the hosts.
E-mail Article 
Print-Friendly
Subscribe to RSS Feed 
Post to del.icio.us
Facebook