Sale Sharks off to winning start
MATCH REPORT: Sale Sharks captain Robert du Preez led his side to a narrow but important debut victory of the season as they downed Northampton Saints 20-15 in the Premiership on Sunday.
The flyhalf was at the heart of the attacking rugby that Sale dished up, especially in the first half. He also led by example in defence despite the yellow card he received for repeated infringements as his team desperately defended their narrow lead.
It was an ideal start to the Premiership season for Sale in front of their home crowd.
The visitors scored an exciting early try through Tommy Freeman who dived over in the corner.
But their lead was quickly overhauled by two equally excellent Sale tries.
A Fin Smith penalty reduced the arrears before the break, but Sale remained in control and Ethan Caine scored just before half-time to make it 20-10.
Northamptons’ attack was relentless, but the home side’s defence couldn’t be broken.
Jean-Luc du Preez limped off early with an apparent knee injury and was replaced by fellow South African Cobus Wiese.
Scorers:
For Sale Sharks:
Tries: Roebuck, O’Flaherty, Caine
Con: Du Preez
Pen: Du Preez
For Northampton:
Tries: Freeman, Ramm
Con: Smith
Pen: Smith
Teams:
Northampton Saints: 15 George Hendy, 14 Tommy Freeman, 13 Fraser Dingwall (captain), 12 Rory Hutchinson, 11 James Ramm, 10 Fin Smith, 9 Tom James, 8 Sam Graham, 7 Tom Pearson, 6 Angus Scott-Young, 5 Alex Coles, 4 Alex Moon, 3 Trevor Davison, 2 Curtis Langdon,
1 Ethan Waller
Replacements: 16 Robbie Smith, 17 Alex Waller, 18 Elliot Millar Mills, 19 Tom Lockett, 20 Chunya Munga, 21 Archie McParland, 22 James Grayson, 23 Tom Seabrook
Sale Sharks: 15 Joe Carpenter, 14 Tom Roebuck, 13 Sam James, 12 Sam Bedlow, 11 Tom O’Flaherty, 10 Rob du Preez (captain), 9 Raffi Quirke; 8 Dan du Preez, 7 Sam Dugdale, 6 JL du Preez, 5 Jonny Hill, 4 Ernst van Rhyn, 3 Nick Schonert, 2 Tommy Taylor, 1 Si McIntyre
Replacements: 16 Ethan Caine, 17 Ross Harrison, 18 James Harper, 19 Cobus Wiese, 20 Josh Beaumont, 21 Gus Warr, 22 Tom Curtis, 23 Arron Reed.
Referee: Adam Leal
Assistant referees: Neil Chivers, Ryan Collier
TMO: Andrew Jackson
