Cipriani Stars as Sale Romp to Win

Saturday 14 December 2013

Danny Cipriani scored two tries and kicked six conversions and two penalties

©Press Association

Danny Cipriani stole the show as Sale Sharks scored seven tries to overrun Oyonnax 53-14 and regain control of Group One in the Amlin Cup.

Cipriani crossed for two tries and converted all but one of the seven - while adding two penalties - as Sale left little doubt about their superior class by scoring the first 41 points unanswered.

James Gaskell, Dan Braid, Mark Cueto, Rob Miller and Michael Paterson also touched down for the Sharks.

Needing a win to answer Biarritz's bonus point on Thursday, Sale had to battle through a tough start - with Cipriani's early penalty the only score - until the points began to flow after 20 minutes.

Cipriani made it 6-0 with his second penalty in the 22nd minute and moments later his quick-thinking set up Gaskell for the first try.

The 26-year-old then made and scored the second try himself, intercepting a stray pass to cross easily.

Further tries from Braid and Cueto - who wrong-footed two defenders before racing clear - helped Sale take a 34-0 lead in at half-time.

Cipriani then added a solo try before Oyonnax replied through Dug Codjo.

Roimata Hansell Pune's try and Nicolas Vuillemin's conversion closed the gap to 41-14, but Sale soon restored order as Miller crossed, with Cipriani missing the conversion - his only mis-step of the night.

Paterson then capped it a minute from time after a 70-metre run from Tom Brady.