Sale Sharks again fail to manage two consecutive wins
Sale Sharks were again unable to win two consecutive games, a fest they were not been able to achieve since November 2009. Northampton Saints on the other hand had won their consecutive third game, with a massive margin. Northampton Saints overcame the Sale
Sharks challenge 53 - 24, an Aviva Premiership encounter held at the Madejski Stadium, Reading.
The victory has cemented the place for Saints in the top four, as saints currently reside at fourth slot in the Aviva Premiership table with 53 points, just a point behind the Gloucester Rugby at third slot and in front of the fifth ranked London Irish team
who so far have 48 points from their 19 matches. The victory was Saints 11th victory coming from the 18th match and they still have to play four round games.
Although Saints started as the favourites but the Sharks were impressive during the earlier phases of the game and were first to score in the game with their fly half Charlie Hodgson scoring a penalty in the third minute.
Saints slowly started to enjoy more ball possession and enjoy more balls and gain the territory. Their attack was phenomenal in the match and scored massive eight tries in the match. It all started with the eighth minute try by their Scrum Half Lee Dickson
followed by Myler conversion.
This point onwards Saints were simply unstoppable and the Sharks defense tremble before their frequent attacks. Saints extended their lead by their Winger Chris Ashton’s try in the 13th minute. With pressure mounting on the Sharks through Saints’
attacks, Sharks defense started to make errors. Neil Briggs of Sale Sharks was shown yellow card in the 18th minute, penalty try was awarded to the Saints who fully capitalised on the opportunity, and this was followed by Myler’s second conversion
of the game.
Sharks without their hooker regrouped and slowly made number of runs at the Saints end. Sharks scored their first try of the match with substitute Flanker Marc Jones, followed by Hodgson’s conversion to leave Sharks trailing by 9 points. James Gaskell replaced
the Jones; James was earlier substituted during the 18th minute with Jones.
Minutes later Sharks Fly Half scored two consecutive penalties to reduce the Saints lead to the three points. Charlie Hodgson scored penalties in the 30th and 32nd minute. However, it was the Saints with the last hurrah as they
scored 7 points before the end of the first half to take the score to24 – 16. Saints Prop Mujati scored a try in the 37th minute with Myler’s conversion in the 39th minute.
Sharks started the second half with a promise but it was their Locker Lewaravu scoring Sharks second and last try in the match. However, the feature of the second half was the Saints attack that scored controlled the game and scored apparently at will.
Neil Briggs was shown the red card in the 44th minute that resulted in Saints penalty. Myler scored on the penalty followed by Saints’ Flanker Tom Woods’ try.
Myler scored the conversion to extend the lead by massive 15 points. With 14 players, the task was huge and it proved too much and besides Hodgson 56th minute penalty it was all Saints show. Saints scored their second penalty try in 60th minute
subsequent by Myler conversion.
In the 68th minute substitute, Winger Bruce Reihana scored a try followed by another substitute Flanker Phil Dowson scoring a try in the 77th minute.
Saints will be looking forward to secure the top place in the Aviva Premiership and they have enough games in bag to achieve this task. A couple of more of such massive wins as they have against the Wasps and Sharks, they definitely will take over the Saracens.
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