Faf score not enough to save 14-man Sharks
PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Perry Humphreys and Ashley Beck both crossed as Worcester Warriors battled to their third win of the season against 14-man Sale Sharks.
The Sharks led at half-time courtesy of tries from scrumhalf Francois de Klerk – making his return to the top flight after winning the World Cup with South Africa – and wing Chris Ashton.
However, the Sharks were reduced to 14 when flank Jean-Luc du Preez was sent off for a shoulder barge.
A pair of Duncan Weir penalties saw the Warriors reduce the gap to four points at half-time, and they hit back in the second half with Ryan Mills slipping a pass inside for fullback Humphreys to score, before Beck also rumbled over.
The scorers
For Worcester Warriors:
Tries: Humphreys, Beck
Cons: Weir 2
Pens: Weir 2
For Sale Sharks:
Tries: De Klerk, Ashton
Pen: MacGinty
Yellow card: Simon Hammersley (Sale Sharks, 19)
Red card: Jean-Luc du Preez (Sale Sharks, 39)
Teams:
Worcester Warriors: 15 Chris Pennell, 14 Perry Humphreys, 13 Francois Venter, 12 Ashley Beck, 11 Melani Nanai, 10 Duncan Weir, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 Cornell du Preez, 7 Sam Lewis, 6 Ted Hill, 5 Graham Kitchener, 4 Anton Bresler, 3 Nick Schonert, 2 Niall Annett (captain), 1 Ethan Waller
Replacements: 16 Matt Moulds, 17 Callum Black, 18 Richard Palframan, 19 Michael Fatialofa, 20 GJ van Velze, 21 Michael Heaney, 22 Jono Lance, 23 Ryan Mills
Sale Sharks: 15 Simon Hammersley, 14 Denny Solomona, 13 Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 12 Rob du Preez, 11 Chris Ashton, 10 AJ MacGinty, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Jono Ross (Captain), 7 Ben Curry, 6 Tom Curry, 5 Jean-Luc du Preez, 4 Bryn Evans, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Akker van der Merwe, 1 Valery Morozov.
Replacements: 16 Rob Webber, 17 Ross Harrison, 18 Will-Griff John, 19 James Phillips, 20 Matt Postlethwaite, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Sam James, 23 Marland Yarde
Referee: Luke Pearce
Assistant referees: Adam Leal & Philip Watters
TMO: Graham Hughes.
Source: @premrugby
