Sedgley Park 10 - 42 Sale
It was a strong performance by the away team in this Manchester derby. Sale, fortunate to be able to call on the services of Sale Sharks first choice wing Paolo Odogwu. The Tigers had identified him as the danger man and defended well against him all afternoon. He showed his strength and footwork but was harried and tackled by Matt Riley, Tom Bedlow and Rob Holloway all afternoon. One magical break was thwarted as Andy Riley chased Odogwu down, showing great pace to catch him.
Whilst the home team defended well against Odogwu ( and how unlucky is he not to be in the Sale Sharks team ) they missed countless tackles as the strong running Sale team cut fantastic lines through the centre and out wide.
Sale's, Tom Ailes, was sublime in the back row and caused the Tigers countless problems, scoring an excellent try in the 2nd half. With the exception of the scrum, Sale dominated all the other key areas of the game. They produced quick ball at the breakdown, competed and slowed down the Tigers ball on every occasion. However, the most notable difference was the sheer quality of Sale's passing; it was quick, it was precise and confident.
The Tigers scrum created a potent weapon and although Crous and McShane used this first phase ball well, the home team failed to threaten off second phase. Perhaps, the shape of the game was set early in the first half when for the only time in the game Sale were under prolonged pressure on their own line, they coughed up a yellow card to their prop. Rather than take the scrum requiring a front row replacement, the Tigers took the kick for 3 points; it was then one way traffic.
After that it was Sale's clinical running and passing that created chances. When thwarted, kick for the corner, win the line out and drive over; great to watch. The net result, a well managed and deserved win for Sale.
Perhaps, politically incorrect but a pedantic referee who allowed cheap shots and high tackles under his nose; with previous history between these two clubs it could have got out of hand but it's credit to both sets of players it didn't.
