Exeter Chiefs ended a run of four straight defeats in an exciting match at Edgeley Park. The match was Charlie Hodgson's last home game for Sale Sharks and the fly half helped his team to snatch a late bonus point that ensures they are now safe from relegation.
First Half
Rob Baxter made a number of changes to his starting line up for the match with Ignacio Mieres starting his first ever Aviva Premiership game in place of fly-half Gareth Steenson. The new line up looked brighter from the off and after only 8 minutes Exeter were in front. Sisa Koyamaibole was penalised by the referee for handling on the floor and Mieres made no mistake with a confident penalty for three easy points.
The Chiefs have been guilty in recent weeks for slacking off after starting games well and it looked as if this match would be no exception as Sale had a strong period of pressure after the early penalty. But instead of giving away cheap points as they have recently been accustomed to Exeter defended superbly and went further ahead after 23 minutes.
Sireli Naqelevuki and Haydn Thomas were part of a superb counter attack as the ball was raced up to Sale's 22. The ball eventually came to Phil Dollman and the centre created an overlap for Nic Sestaret who grabbed the offload before diving over in the left corner. Mieres added the extras.
Sale slowly managed to work their way back into the game though and it was no surprise when Hodgson was the man who got them back into it with a penalty after 30 minutes.
The iconic fly-half was at the heart of all of Sale's best play and he started a move two minutes later that led to a try. Hodgson sprayed the ball out wide to Andy Tuilagi whose quick hands found Will Addison in space. The 18 year old took a few paces before making a wonderful offload to centre Chris Bell who strolled over the whitewash. Hodgson added the extras to make the scores level.
Hodgson was unlucky to not put Sale in front as he charged down a Mieres drop goal shortly before half-time. Sadly for him the ball wouldn't bounce kindly and Luke Arscott got back to clear the danger.
Half Time: Sale Sharks 10-10 Exeter Chiefs
Second Half
Mieres obviously didn't let that mistake get to him though as he put the Chiefs in front again three minutes into the second half. Sale's scrum buckled under pressure and the Argentine coolly converted the penalty from 22 yards out.
It got better for the side from Devon 6 minutes later as they broke away to score their second try. After driving out from defence the Chiefs forced Chris Bell to drop the ball and Matt Jess was quick to seize the knock on a race away. No one could catch the winger down the left flank and Mieres was able to convert yet again with ease.
At this point Exeter were in control but Sale were in no mood to give up without a fight and proceeded to heap pressure on the Exeter defence. The Sharks finally got their reward 67 minutes in when Dwayne Peel found Wame Lewaravu with a clever pass. The big Fijian lock used his immense power to drive over from five metres out and after Hodgson converted the extras there was only three points in it.
This paved the way for Sale to put on some intense pressure during the final stages but this was deflated somewhat on 75 minutes when replacement fly-half Steenson kicked a penalty after another impressive Exeter drive.
This forced Sale to push everyone forward and Exeter delivered a killer blow three minutes from time. The Chiefs stole an excellent turnover half way in the Sale half and Junior Poluleuligaga delivered a simple pass that sent lock Tommy Hayes clear. The big Irishman managed to trundle his way over the line before Steenson knocked over the simple conversion.
This was obviously a sad way for Charlie Hodgson to end his Sale career at Edgeley Park but he fittingly capped a superb individual performance to seal the Sharks a bonus point. Promising winger Addison raced away to touch down and Hodgson didn't disappoint again as he slotted the conversion during the final seconds of the match.
Full Time: Sale Sharks 24-30 Exeter Chiefs
Sale are now mathematically safe from the drop after that late bonus point but will be disappointed with how their final home game of the season panned out. Exeter on the other hand will be delighted but are not yet certain of escaping the drop because they might be deducted points at a disciplinary hearing on Wednesday.
Man of the match “ Charlie Hodgson
Sale Sharks
Tries: Bell (1), Lewaravu (1), Addison (1)
Penalties: Hodgson (1)
Conversions: Hodgson (3)
Exeter Chiefs
Tries: Sestaret (1), Jess (1), Hayes (1)
Penalties: Mieres (2), Steenson (1)
Conversions: Mieres (2), Steenson (1)
