Match Report: Sale Sharks 28 – 10 Exeter Chiefs

It was a tough pre-Christmas trip for Rob Baxter’s men as hosts Sale Sharks took the bonus point victory at Salford Community Stadium in Round Eight of the Gallagher Premiership.

Tough and ever-changing weather conditions along with penalty count – which ultimately lead to a yellow card being shown to a Chiefs player on two occasions – meant the Chiefs were unable to get a foothold in the game.

Henry Slade secured the first points of the game when a penalty just inside the Sharks 22 gave the opportunity to call for the kicking tee. Despite the wind, the fly half curled the ball around to secure the points.

Poetically, on the 21st night of the month, it was on the 21st minute that Luke James scored Sale’s first try. With a stretched Chiefs defence, Raffi Quirke put in a soft, off-the-shoulder pass to James as the centre took the easy run-in score. His centre partner, Rob du Preez converted the score.

There was an early blow for Chiefs when Immanuel Feyi-Waboso was removed from the field after just 33 minutes having taken an awkward hit to the shoulder. Just as Josh Hodge came on in his place, fellow replacement Will Haydon-Wood had to scramble to be ready as Ben Hammersley was sent for a HIA.

Slade attempted to bring his side within a point with a penalty in the Sale half, but an unfortunate wind caught the ball, pulling it wide of the posts.

Joe Carpenter added a second try for Sale before the break. Breaking through a gap on the Chiefs 10 metre line, he had support on his outside shoulder in a two-on-one against Olly Woodburn. A dummy pump pass to the wing caused the Chiefs winger to turn to his right as Carpenter jinked the opposite way. Du Preez added the conversion as the rain began to fall.

Half-time: Sale 14 – 3 Chiefs

As sheets of rain were blown in gusts across the pitch, it was a bold call from Sale to go for the posts with a penalty just three minutes from the restart. As many would have predicted, the conditions took hold of it and play resumed with an Exeter drop-out.

As conditions worsened, Sale were awarded a penalty try. Chiefs were reduced to 14 men – notably losing captain Dafydd Jenkins – following repeated infringements in their own 22.

The Welshman returned to the field 10 minutes later and, along with some pack replacements, brought immediate energy to the Chiefs. Working the phases off the back of a lineout, Chiefs moved within inches of the line. Jimmy Roots spotted a gap at the shoelaces of the Sale defenders, so chose pick-and-go by himself. He crashed over beneath the posts for his first Gallagher Premiership try.

Slade added the conversion to take Chiefs into double figures on the scoreboard.

Sale’s bonus point try came on 69 minutes and was scored by the former Chief, Jonny Hill. Frustratingly for Chiefs, it was again repeated errors which cost them a score and a man in the bin. As the lumbering Sale second row crossed the line, replacement Jacques Vermeulen was shown the second yellow card of the game. Rob du Preez once more added the extras.

That would prove to be the last points of the game. Chiefs tried to convert on their chances in the closing quarter of the encounter, but luck was not to be on their side. The drawing board will have to be returned to before they host Gloucester at Sandy Park next weekend to close out the calendar year.

Full-time: Sale 28 – 10 Chiefs

Sale: J Carpenter; T Roebuck, R Du Preez, L James (Nayacalevu 72’), A Reed (O’Flaherty 50’); G Ford, R Quirke (Warr 50’); B Rodd (McIntyre 60’), L Cowan-Dickie (McElroy 70’), A Opoku Fordjour (John 60’), E Van Rhyn, J Hill (Bamber 72’), JL Du Preez, B Curry (c) (Dugdale 60’), D Du Preez.

Tries: James, Carpenter, Penalty try, Hill Conversions: R du Preez 3

Chiefs: T Wyatt; I Feyi-Waboso (Hodge 33’), B Hammersley (Haydon-Wood 33’, Hammersley 40’), T Tua, O Woodburn; H Slade, S Townsend; S Sio (Blose 51’, Sio 72’), D Frost (Innard 55’), M Street (J Roots 51’), D Jenkins (c), F Molina (Vermeulen 60’), E Roots, R Vintcent (Capstick 51’), G Fisilau.

Replacements: Becconsall, Haydon-Wood

Tries: J Roots Conversions: Slade Penalties: Slade

Yellow card: Dafydd Jenkins, Jacques Vermeulen

Referee: Anthony Woodthorpe