Sale Sharks vs Worcester Warriors

Photographer: Graham Moore-Grundy
 

Photographer: Graham Moore-Grundy
 

Sale Sharks 15 Worcester Warriors 12

As it happened, reported by Stephen Thomas

0mins - Sale kick off attacking the BMI Stand

4mins - Sale penalty after Worcester are too eager in defence. Macleod scores the pen 3-0

8 mins - Sheridan making a huge difference in the scrums tonight, Worcester conceded a penalty after a huge push by the front row. Macleod goes for the posts and scores 6-0

11mins - A high ball by Goode and Brady drops the ball. He manages to recover but the Worcester players drive over and Sale concede a penalty. Goode scores the pen 6-3

14mins - Sale sub Fourie comes off holding his shoulder. He is replaced by Vernon.

18mins - Sale dominating possession and play at the moment with Gaskell and Buckley combining to make yards

25mins - Sheridan loses his bind at the scrum and he gets penalised. Goode goes for the posts and scores 6-6

28mins - Sale have a crazy few minutes. From kick-off, Macleod kicks it out on the full. From the resulting scrum, Sale give a penalty away for illegally wheeling it. Goode scores the pen 6-9

38mins - Handbags here for both sides after a late off the ball incident. Sale get the penalty.

HT Sale Shars 6 Worcester Warriors 9 - After a good start for Sale, Worcester have gone and dominated play doing the basics right and keeping Sale in their own 22. A big second half for Sale is needed if they turn this around. Sharky's Half Time Draw winning ticket is ticket number 4857 and wasn't claimed on the night.

40mins - The second half is underway with Worcester kicking off

43mins - Sale exploding out of the blocks in the second half with Brady making a great break. The play however grinds to a halt when Vernon knocks on

50mins - Sale get the pen from the scrum this time. Worcester judged to illegally wheel this time. Macleod scores the pen 9-9

52mins - Seymour charged down a kick and chases it and it agonisingly goes out of touch just before the try line

55mins - Sale double change with Ward and Myall coming on, Jones and Ostrikov come off

57mins - Sale concede a penalty. Gray misses with the ball just going under the bar.

66mins - Sale concede another penalty after Worcester phase together simple effective rugby. Gray goes for the sticks and scores 9-12

67mins - Double Sale change, Leota and Peel off, Addison and Willis on

70mins - Sale get a penalty after a great attacking break by Brady and Addison. Macleod scores the penalty 12-12

75mins - Close game this one. Sale getting a penalty this time. Macleod points to the sticks and he scores 15-12

76mins - Sale make a sub: Seymour off and Cobilas comes on!

79mins - Worcester attack and attack and have the chance for a drop goal - CHARGE DOWN! Brady gathers the ball and kicks it out

Full Time: Sale Sharks 15 Worcester Warriors 12 - A close nail biting finish to the game. It won't be remembered as a classic but a win is a win and Sale will be very pleased tonight. Join us at our next home game against London Wasps on 24th February.

Attendance: 5926

Sharks: 15.Rob Miller, 14.Tom Brady, 13.Johnny Leota, 12.Sam Tuitupou (Capt.), 11.Mark Cueto, 10.Nick Macleod, 9.Dwayne Peel, 1.Andrew Sheridan, 2.Marc Jones, 3.Tony Buckley, 4.Andrei Ostrikov, 5.James Gaskell, 6.Hendre Fourie, 7.David Seymour, 8.Mark Easter.

Replacements 16.Joe Ward, 17.Lee Imiolek, 18.Vadim Cobilas, 19.Kearnan Myall, 20.Richie Vernon, 21.Cillian Willis, 22.Will Addison, 23.Luther Burrell.

Warriors: 15.Chris Pennell, 14.Marcel Garvey, 13.Alex Grove, 12.Dale Rasmussen, 11.Miles Benjamin, 10.Andy Goode, 9.Shaun Perry (Capt.), 1.Matt Mullan, 2.Aleki Lutui, 3.Tevita Taumoepeau, 4.James Percival. 5.Chris Jones, 6.Sam Betty, 7.Jake Abbott, 8.Blair Cowan.

Replacements 16.George Porter, 17.Ed Shervington, 18.Oliver Tomaszczyk, 19.Craig Gillies, 20.Matt Kvesic, 21.Jonny Arr, 22.Danny Gray, 23.Ravai Fatiaki.

Referee: Llyr ApGeraint Roberts (RFU)