365 Sporting Days – New!

At this stage of the season every game feels like a cup game for the teams behind Batrh clear at the top of the table. Having lost to Harelquins at the Spurs Stadium, Saracens followed up with a win at Welford Rpad against Leicester Tigers, then at home a win against Gloucester. Sale beat Saints at home and Harlequins away in their last 2 prem games.

Tom Roebuck celebrated his 100th appearance for Sharks, running out ahead of his team. Geirge Ford kicked off, Maro Itoje taking the ball, Ivan van Zyl’s clearance was brought back by Sale, Ford made a lovely break, the ball went out to the wing thrrough the hands of Arron Reed out to Rekeiti Ma’asi-White who scored a very early try. Itoje had taken Tom Curry out in the build up, he was lucky to get away with just a push in the back from Curry once the try was scored.

Saracens were pinged for off-side in the Sale half and Ford added 3 points, Sale were 8 up on 6 minutes. Another Saracens penalty saw Ford kick deep into the Saracens half. The ball ended up in Tom Willis’s hands who stormed up the pitch through several players, he lost the ball, Ford passed to Reed who put in a great 50/22 kick. Sale won the line out, but Saracens won the ball back in a ruck, van Zyl’s clearance wasn’t a great one.

Saracens had an attack for the first time after 11 minutes, Segun off loaded from the floor straight to du Preez, happily his kick up field was charged down. Sale still sent the ball to the halfway line with a great clearance from Gus Warr.

Ford scored a lovely try for Sale after Tom Roebuck made a break down his wing, he passed to Carpenter then took the ball back from the ruck. His pass to Ford was perfect and he ran in to score unimpeded. After 18 minutes it looked like men against boys. The score was Sale 15 Saracens 0.

Curry hit Jamie George with his shoulder, giving away a penalty, Fergus Burke kicked the ball wide. It was laughable to hear Autin Healey suggest he’s wrapped his arms, he hadn’t, but it wasn’t high, so just a penalty. Curry went off for an HIA not long after however.

Saracens had a good attacking spell but a pass from Carre hit Itoje, we were t6hen treated ot a try that every rugby fan had to admire! Ford passed to Reed who jinked and ran virtually from his own line to score a fabulous try! He evaded 3 Saracens players. The conversion took Sale to 22.

Willis was hit by Luke Cowan-Dickie who so often goes too low, in my opinion, he was on the ground when he hit Willis, he’s going to seriously hurt someone one day. A high tackle in midfield saw Saracens awarded a penalty. They ran it this time and the ball was passed out to Angus Hall on the wing, who got the first points on the board for Saracens, the kick was so much harder than the failed penalty, but it went over.

itoje made another error in blatanly taking a Sale player off the ball allowing Ben Earl to get his hands on the ball, Sale had good teritroy again but knocked on as they attacked. van Zyl was far roo slow to move the ball from a ruck and Warr simply ran through and picked the ball up. He was then penalised, but after the fact.

It was funny to hear Hugh Tizard saying excuse me to the ref to get to a ruck just before half-time. The teams went in at Half-Time with the scores on Sale Sharks 22 Saracens 7.

Angus Hall hurt himself as the leapt for the ball as the game restarted, happily he stood up and carried on after a quick check by the medic.

A free kick at the scrum for Saracens saw Burke put a high kick into the Sale 22, Saracens lost the ball as Segun ran ahead of the pass, the replay showed the ref was in the way at the time. Angus Hall went of for an HIA, he shoud have gone off straight away, not 4 minutes later! (He failed that HIA) Alex Goode replaced him

TNT/BT replaued a tackle by van Zyl on Warr, but the officials decided to ignore him tackling from the floor. But Sale won a penalty as Saracens attacked, Curry doing his stuff in the ruck.

Saracens made forwards substitutions on 52 minutes seeing Theo McFarland, Juan Martin Gonzalez, Eroni Mawi and Harvey Beaton entered the fray.

A 3rd du Preez was amongst the subs for Sale a few minutes later. Sale were denied their 4th try by a poor mistake by the officials, a knock on was called, but it was Nick Isiekwe’s hand that knocked the ball, not a Sale hand. It was amazing to see how well Ron du Preez accepted the mistake. Ridley should have allowed things to run on then checked things.

Tom Willis had shone throughout for Saracens and won the ball back in a vital spot for his team, his work rate is second to none!

George Ford was also having a brilliant game for his team, he put in a monster kick winning a 50/22 and throw in for Sale deep in the Saracens half. That opportunity came to nothing for Sale. Andy Onyeama- Christie came on for Willis on 64 minutes. He gave a penalty away moments after his arrival, flying into the ruck. Ford took the kick and added 3 points to the Sale score.

Saracens had a strong attacking spell with Theo Dan making a couple of strong pushes, the ball ended up in the hands of Burke who ran through, passing to Charlie Bracken, the referee deemed he was held up and there was nothing conclusive for the TMO to see. Justice for the mistake when Quirk should have scored Sale’s 4th try earlier I’d say.

Arron Reed was awarded the Player of the Match plaudit, his first half performance was outstanding. The game finished with Burke kikcing the ball straight into touch, the score was Sale Sharks 25 Saracens 7.