What the Fans Thought - Sale

By Hippo and the Clan
September 18 2003

Here are a selection of the views from contributors to this site after the recent game at Edgely Park. As always, we all had too much to say but I’ve tried to get an item from everyone who commented.

Apologies to those I’ve missed. John Rickerd had me laughing out loud. Scroll down to the bottom to see his quote on Piggy. My favourite part of compiling the list was looking in detail at the reactions going on the site during the game – to any of you there in Stockport on that fine evening I do believe that the tension was even more unbearable on the board…..

…take it away Eleanor…

Listening to the Radio

I think i've bitten my nails off. Eleanor Cooper

Beta Blockers all around. Bleach

Sharks 30-27. Saints self destructing; why do we always do it? St Bart

Hows Shane at dropping goals from 50 mteres?? Dan P Cooper

Phew should have won but a draw is good with the bonus,,,is that 3pts? Alan T

37-37 waheyyyyy Chris_the_Saint


On returning from the game

To be honest we looked down and out with two minutes on the clock. Bruce was determined and ran through as the final seconds ticked by. Chris Hoddle


What a night, and what a game, a fair result we ruled the first half and they got the better of the second. then the Blowers incident. OSWESTRY SAINT

The game and the D word

Great match-winners must not forget great defence!
Paul Flatt

We must tighten the defence - remember its a game of two halves - do something about the pack Old Pete

If all rugby were like that there'd be a lot of empty soccer grounds. As I said before - Hang on to your hats - this is gonna be a fun season. WMS

BUT I am still of the generl opinion that we threw a good lead way by poor defence in the pack. Last year we were the side conceding the least tries - yes? NOw I know you can,t win matches and cups by tight defence alone, but we musn't forget how tight we can be Saintsby

Saints view on the game great first half, went to sleep in second half but made a great come back. Sale view of the game didn’t play first half, great second half, lost concentration in last couple of minutes. Both are perhaps partly true but neither side was trying any harder or any less at any point, it is just the way of a close game. Ajack

While we should be happy with three points away at Sale, I can't help feeling that if we'd made one or two more tackles at the first attempt, we'd have taken all the spoils. Big Rich

Mr White seems this season to be going for the maximum bloodshed approach. James simons-boswell

Thanks Chris, I was very lucky to have such a great game to write up! Claire Jones


That incident and the reaction

I am a Sale ST holde and would just like to make a few comments about fridays game. Was v dissapointed by the lack of respect for Drahms kicking and for AB's injury so apologies on behalf of most of the "rugby" fans that were there on friday. Monkey

Monkey,
heckling aside, a damn good evening and a great start to what should be a good season for both sides. Biggles

I was more irritated my the Sharks bench who leapt up in protest - they should hang their heads in shame given a fellow professional was clearly injured. A sad end to an entertaining game Claire Jones

I too was sitting in the Stockport Express stand and was shocked to see Chris White shouting at the Sale bench to sit them down and stop their disgraceful antics against AB. Slander who was off the pitch was also trying to calm them down. SJ

"He (Blowers) got an elbow in the face. We cannot cite the player...." Smudger

The sad thing when you get your marketing right is the crowd needs time to learn the rules. The booing of Drahms last penalty was both predictable and sad! St.Rich Joe & Niamh’s Dad


Edgely Park

Great day out, fair result, cr@ppy music on the tannoy, top singing by the travelling Saints (led by Beef, Me, St Colin), nice stadium, shoddy beer (if you could call it that (Carlsberg, Tetleys errr.. that's it) , Mr White had one of his poorer days at the office..... Maverick


Hospitable and helpful locals, dangerous advertising around the touchline, rude kids, over exposed cheerleaders, very loud tenor, decent floodlights and a good match experience. Oh, the support for the Jimmies was wonderful. WMS

Other than that and the noise during kicks I had a wonderful introduction to Edgely Park. The pubs, the shark and chips at the fish shop and the warm welcome from Sale fans were all great. SlimJimmie

I thought the staff, and the majority of supporters at the ground were superb. St Marlowes

Sorry but I’m gong to have to mention him…

Shine played like a Saintsman - there is no higher compliment! Nuff sed! St Marlowe

Re: Man of the Match
Who should it be folks? Those who weren't there (Shane Drahm) I don't want (Shane Drahm) to influence (Shane Drahm) you but I reckon the 6 should be:... Ballagher

top try by some bloke with thte no.10 on the back of his shirt David Tavener

When you consider what Wayne Smith has done for Paul Grayson what can he do for Shane Drahm?.
It seemed a near perfect display at Sale, and if he improves on that then he will become the biggest threat in the Zurich Premiership. John Rickerd

Shane Drahm, for coolness under considerable pressure about ten to ten on Friday. Mark H

And finally

Piggy Powell was threatning to do something really interesting with the Tenors microphone, pity he decided not to. No would have been entertaining John Rickerd