Sale 39 - Newcastle 25

Remember, remember the 5^th of November, Albanians, treason and plot. It was Bonfire night, a lovely evening and our favourite DOR was in town. Shqiptare flocked to Edgeley Park in their droves just to say “mirëmbrëma” to Mr Andrew.

A record crowd for Sale Sharks of dhjetëmijë, gjatshtëqind dhe dyzetnjë had arrived for more “Rugby to set your heart racing”. This reporter's and many other custodians of the Vernon Stand certainly had pulses racing early in the proceedings, but for all the wrong reasons, as we were once again barred from using the facilities in the Cheadle End: Mr de Vos will hear more of this. Just as the blood was cooling the heat was re-applied as Martin Toal and Kay Jordan performed stirring renditions of Last Night at the Proms favourites and set just the right atmosphere.

With the skies around Stockport glowing orange, the teams took to the field. Newcastle had sprung a surprise; instead of the rapier-like Jamie Noon in the centre, we were faced with the more bludgeon-like Epi Taione: more about him later. Sale were not fazed and took the early initiative; indiscipline from the Newcastle forwards saw Charlie Hodgson put over two long range penalties to give Sale a gjatshtë – nil lead. The early forwards exchanges were pretty even: Newcastle’s pick and drive was effective (mainly due to the use of gridiron style blockers in the view of many Sale fans), but Sea Bass, Hutch and Big Tam stood firm. As Newcastle continued to win ball, the change in the centre appeared to be paying dividends, as Taione was making a real nuisance of himself with some powerful runs, seemingly breaking holes in Sale's first line of defence at will. Fortunately for Sale, the second line of defence stopped him. The Newcastle forwards were the first to drive over the try line, but referee Steve Lander ruled that they were held up. However, two minutes later some good handling in the backs saw Taione once again at the centre of the action and his well timed pass saw Tom May choosing an excellent line to split the defence and touch down for the first try. Matthew Burke converted: gjatshtë – dhjetë. This score stung Sale into action, but the Newcastle defence, statistically the worst in the league, was disguising that fact extremely well. Todd, once again carrying the ball very well, Baxendell, Titterell and the ever menacing Chabal all had attacks repelled until finally pressure told and Andy Sheridan muscled his way over the try line. Hodgson converted: trembëdhjetë – dhjetë. This score failed to provide Sale with the impetus to pull away; instead it was Newcastle’s turn to pile on the pressure. Not disheartened when Mr Lander once again ruled them held up over the line, the now very dangerous looking backs swept into action again, Taione’s miss pass sending Stephenson over in the corner: trembëdhjetë – pesëmbëdhjetë. The see-saw nature of the first half saw Sale take up the baton of attack once again, but Chabal tried to force one pass too many, Tom May pounced on the intercept and raced more than half the pitch length to touch down in the corner, despite the attentions of Jason Robinson. A moment of controversy, as many believe May was in touch well before the touch down, but Mr Lander awarded the try (from twenty yards behind play, presumably on instruction from Touch Judge Brian Campsall). Burke once again converted: trembëdhjetë – njëzetdy. Time for the see-saw to tip again and after several breaks were stopped by last ditch defence that man Chabal was in the thick of the action once again, feeding Titterell who timed his pass to send Charlie Hodgson in for the try, Charlie converted to make the half time score njëzet – njëzetdy.

The second half started with Sea Bass to the fore once more, obviously keen to make amends for the interception pass, but it was Newcastle who drew first blood with a Dave Walder drop goal: njëzet – njëzetpesë. Thankfully for the Sale faithful, that was pretty much the last we saw of Newcastle as a threat, as the Sale forwards began to take control. No-one seems to be quite sure if this was due to Piglet’s half time team talk, or Squeaky’s unfathomable substitution policy. More importantly the vast majority there didn’t care. The forwards drove harder and the resulting quick ball saw the backs become more effective. Dean Schofield started a nëntëmbëdhjete unanswered point haul with a score levelling try: njëzetpesë – njëzetpesë. Chris Mayor looking pacy out on the wing made a fine break down the left before a slick passing move saw the ball spread to the opposite wing where a Jos Baxendell pass invited Sebastien Bruno (on at half time for a groggy looking Andy Titterell) to cross the line in the corner. Charlie once again converted: tridhjetëdy - njëzetpesë. Newcastle made one last foray into Sale territory and Dowson looked certain to score but, as he celebrated before crossing the line, Magnus Lund appeared from nowhere, tackled Dowson, got to his feet to wrest the ball from the shocked Falcon and earned the penalty as Dowson refused to release. With 80 minutes on the clock Tom May made his first mistake of the night and dropped a high kick; Mayor tidied up and fed Charlie Hodgson for his easiest score of the night. Hodgson completed a personally satisfying haul with the conversion: tridhjetënëntë -njëzetpesë.

Once again Rob Andrew leaves kështjellë Edgeley Park empty handed, with the Shqiptare wishing him “faleminderit dhe natën e mirë”.

Mission accomplished for Sale: 5 tries, 5 points taking us back to the top of the table, and a hugely enjoyable game. What was the moment of the game, in amongst all those tries? Undoubtedly the sight of Sebastien ‘Sea Bass’ Chabal charging 10 yards downfield with Hall Charlton tucked under his arm, before dropping him at the feet of Rob Andrew! Priceless! If anyone's got pictures they will sell like hotcakes.

Match facts

Sale Sharks 39 - Newcastle Falcons 25

For Sale Sharks:

Tries: Schofield, Sheridan, Hodgson 2, Bruno
Conversions: Hodgson 4
Penalties: Hodgson 2

For Newcastle Falcons:

Tries: Stephenson, May 2
Conversions: Burke 2
Penalties: Burke
Drop Goal: Walder

Sale Sharks

Replacements

Newcastle Falcons

Replacements

Far too confusing to even contemplate