Tait the bait as Sharks feast
Fri, 29 Aug 2008 15:30
Fullback Mathew Tait scored two tries in Sale Sharks' 39-14 victory over Lyon in a pre-season friendly at Edgeley Park.
Sale Sharks came good during the second half, eventually running in five tries against one - against Raphael Saint Andre's stubborn side.
With the visitors 9-6 ahead (all penalties) and the half-hour mark approaching, the former Newcastle Falcons international scored the first try, and was followed over the line by David Doherty with four minutes to go to ,.
The Sharks forged ahead after the break through a penalty try, and more conventional scores followed from skipper Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe and Tait again.
The visitors' consolation try came from Sydney Galopin with five minutes left.
Charlie Hodgson contributed 12 points from the kicking tee, whilst Jandré Fourie sent three penalties between the Edgeley Park posts.
The first thirty minutes witnessed a succession of handling errors, with the only scores coming from penalties by Hodgson and Fourie for a 6-9 scoreline in the visitors' favour.
Andy Tuilagi made a typically direct run down the right wing after 14 minutes, but try scoring chances were few.
After Lyon centre Vinaya Wakanivuga had received a yellow card, the Stockport Band rendered the 'Dam Busters' theme during a lull in the proceedings. On the resumption, the Sharks won a line-out but somehow lost possession, conceding a penalty to allow Fourie to put Lyon ahead for the only time during the game.
Just before the half hour mark, a swift exchange of passes involving Cueto, Wigglesworth and Schofield set Tait free to score the first try. Hodgson converted.
McAlister's quickly taken tap penalty set up try number two for Doherty after 36 minutes to give the home side a lead of 18-9 at the break.
The level of aggression seemed to increase after the break, with Peel introduced on 47 minutes to immediately step up the speed of the restarts.
The Sharks' improved line-out set up seven minutes of attritional forward play, including five scrums. There was niggle between the front rows, and referee Martin Fox eventually lost patience, awarding the Sharks a penalty try on 58 minutes, Hodgson converting.
Skipper Juan Fernandez Lobbe scythed through a tiring defence five minutes later, Hodgson adding the extras.
The customary raft of changes had the usual unsettling effect on the Sharks and, with the game 'in the bag', they found themselves defending with five minutes left.
Replacement Sydney Galopin crossed for Lyon, but it was Tait who had the final say with a minute left - the try of the game, involving two 'hand offs' and a run round to the posts. McAlister converted.
Skipper Fernandez Lobbe led by example, Bruno burrowed effectively, and newcomers Peel and Tait whetted the Sharks' fans' appetite for Guinness Premiership and Heineken Cup action. Roll on Newcastle!
Scorers:
For Sale Sharks:
Tries: Tait 2, Doherty, Penalty try, Fernandez Lobbe
Cons: Hodgson 3, McAlister
Pens: Hodgson 2
For Lyon:
Try: Galopin
Pens: Fourie 3
Yellow card: Vinaya Wakanivuga (Lyon)
Teams:
Sale Sharks: 15 Mathew Tait, 14 Mark Cueto, 13 Luke McAlister, 12 Andy Tuilagi, 11 Dave Doherty, 10 Charlie Hodgson, 9 Richard Wigglesworth/Dwayne Peel, 8 Sebastien Chabal, 7 Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe (captain), 6 Chris Jones, 5 Sean Cox, 4 Dean Schofield, 3 Eifion Roberts, 2 Sebastien Bruno, 1 Lionel Faure.
Replacements - from: Marc Jones, Neil Briggs, Stuart Turner, Martin Halsall, Michael Hills, Carl Fearns, Brent Cockbain, Richard Wigglesworth/Dwayne Peel, Nick Macleod, Nick Royle, Oriol Ripol, Chris
Bell.
Lyon: Fourie, Gautherie, Raffault, Wakanivuga, Marienval, Sadourny, Salobert, Fiard, Taukafa, Pakihivatau, Nauroy, Fakate, Bontinck, Laurent, Gambetta (captain).
Replacements: Weber for Fiard (62), Testa for Taukafa (half-time), Castellina for Pakihivatau (62), Ngauamo for Fakate (half-time), Cadic for Gambetta (62), Portier for Laurent (half-time), Nicoud for Salobert (half-time), Lancelle for Sadourny (62), Galopin for Raffault (62), Saunier for Marienval (half-time).
Referee: Martin Fox
