Johnson, Miller help Wasps to 34-24 win over Sale Sharks

Wasps 34 - 24 Sale Sharks, Ricoh Arena
Scorecard

Double tries from Ashley Johnson and Rob Miller proved crucial as Wasps overcame late Sale Sharks' charge in the second half to register a 34-24 win in the Aviva Premiership clash at Ricoh Arena on Sunday.

Fly-half AJ MacGinty got Sale Sharks off the mark with a eighth minute penalty kick but that was all the visitors managed in the first half.

Danny Cipriani in his 150th appearance crossed over in the 10th minute and Jimmy Gopperth's conversion helped Wasps to a four-point lead. The real damage though was done by Johnson as he scored two tries in the 22nd and the 34th minute to ensure Dai Young's men into half time with a lead of 19 points.

Sale Sharks bounced back immediately at the start of the second half when lock Bryn Evans scored their first try allowing MacGinty to add the conversion.

The gap further widened to 24 points when Miller scored back-to-back tries in the 61st and the 63rd minute to secure a bonus point for Wasps.

Even though Evans and Mike Haley scored two tries at the closing stage for Sale Sharks, they fell short by 10 points. Wasps are placed second in the table with 33 points while Sale Sharks are positioned ninth.

Wasps boss Young felt his team could have handled the second half much better.

"I always felt we were in control but it wasn't fantastic.

"Although we were good in patches, I'm disappointed we gave away so many points in the second half.

"Sale were a dogged team but the introduction of our replacements caused us to become disjointed."