Sale fly-half George Ford kicked an ideal 4 penalties as The Sharks sneaked a slender 12-11 victory towards Harlequins on the opening weekend of the Gallagher Premiership season.
A recreation plagued by errors in troublesome circumstances meant that Ford took the chance to kick to the posts with two efforts contained in the opening 28 minutes.
Harlequins have been extra intent on scoring tries and kicked to the touch earlier than hooker Jack Walker crossed for what would develop into the sport’s solely attempt. On his Quins debut Leigh Halfpenny missed the next conversion.
Harlequins thought they’d a second attempt eight minutes after the break, however in a pivotal second Jack Kenningham couldn’t be seen touching the ball down amid a ruck of our bodies.
Former Scarlets full-back Halfpenny put Quins forward with a seventieth minute penalty, just for Ford to kick the profitable factors 4 minutes later.
Quins have been left reflecting on a missed alternative as they’d the possibilities to take an opening-weekend win. Nevertheless, Sale additionally commented that they might want to minimize out errors shifting ahead, which allowed the guests to remain within the match.
“A win is a win however our 22-metre conversion must be higher towards Saracens subsequent week,” stated Sale loose-head prop Bevan Rodd.
“Little issues like knock-ons, scrum penalties, breakdown penalties off our toes. Foolish errors that made Quins get again into the sport.”
Speaking Level – Sale Sharks present grit and character in season opener
After a robust finish to final season to earn a play-off place Sale opened their account for the season with a battling show.
The kicking and factors of Ford have been once more pivotal to their success. Nevertheless, the grit and willpower of loose-head prop Rudd mirrored the character of his aspect to dig in throughout troublesome circumstances and to earn Ford scoring alternatives.
Participant of the match – George Ford (Sale Sharks)
All 12 of Sale’s factors got here from boot of fly-half Ford who appeared composed in troublesome circumstances for kicking.
Whereas his counterpart Halfpenny faltered on events, the consistency of Ford was essential to Sale’s success.
Ford proved key within the ahead play of his aspect with inch-perfect cross-field kicks which unlocked the guests’ defence.
Participant Rankings
Sale Sharks: Rodd 8, Cowan-Dickie 7, Opoku-Fordjour 7, Van Rhyn 7, Andrews 6, T Curry 7, B Curry 7, J Du Preez 6, Warr 6, Ford 8, O’Flaherty 6, R Du Preez 6, Vuidravuwalu 7, Roebuck 7, Carpenter 6. Replacements: Caine 6, Onasanya 6, Harper 6, Beaumont 6, Bamber 6, Dugdale 7, Thomas 6, Addison 6
Harlequins: Baxter 6, Walker 7, Lamositele 6, Herbst 6, Lewies 6, Kenningham 7, W Evans 8, Dombrandt 6, Porter 6, J Evans 6, Beard 7, Anyanwu 6, Northmore 6, David 6, Halfpenny 7. Replacements: Jibulu 6, Els 6, Kerrod 6, Launchbury 6, Lamb 6, Care 6, Smith 7, Cleaves 6
Match Highlights
17 – PENALTY! SALE SHARKS (FORD) 3-0 HARLEQUINS: An infringement was awarded towards tight-head prop Lamositele within the scrum. That allowed Ford a easy kick underneath the posts to place the hosts forward.
26 – PENALTY! SALE SHARKS (FORD) 6-0 HARLEQUINS: Will Evans comes into the sort out in an off-side place permitting Ford the chance to kick his aspect right into a six-point lead. It wasn’t too convincing however the ball does nearly float between the sticks.
32 – TRY! SALE SHARKS 6-5 HARLEQUINS (WALKER): Scrum penalty towards Rodd ends in Quins having the prospect to kick for posts. Nevertheless, they kick for contact after which a ensuing drive ends in Walker crossing the whitewash. On his debut Halfpenny has a troublesome conversion which he shanks properly broad.
39 – PENALTY! SALE SHARKS 6-8 HARLEQUINS (HALFPENNY): Rodd concedes infringement within the sort out in entrance of the posts. Halfpenny after lacking the earlier conversion does ship this one over, regardless of shaking his head.
40 – PENALTY! SALE SHARKS (FORD) 9-8 HARLEQUINS: Straight from the re-start Quins concede a penalty inside kicking distance and Ford sends his effort down the center.
70 – PENALTY! SALE SHARKS Sep 11 HARLEQUINS (HALFPENNY): The referee awards a penalty towards Sale for failing to play the ball within the sort out. Halfpenny’s long-range effort nearly makes the posts to provide his aspect the lead.
74 – PENALTY! SALE SHARKS (FORD) 12-11 HARLEQUINS: Ford kicks his fourth good penalty after taking the tee from distance and his effort sails over the posts.
Key Stats
- Harlequins conceded 12 penalties to Sale’s 11.
- Sale Sharks made 9 entries into the Harlequins 22 with out scoring a attempt.
