Sale fly-half George Ford kicked an ideal 4 penalties as The Sharks sneaked a slim 12-11 victory towards Harlequins on the opening weekend of the Gallagher Premiership season.
A recreation suffering from errors in tough circumstances meant that Ford took the chance to kick to the posts with two efforts contained in the opening 28 minutes.
Harlequins had been extra intent on scoring tries and kicked to the touch earlier than hooker Jack Walker crossed for what would transform the sport’s solely strive. On his Quins debut Leigh Halfpenny missed the next conversion.
Harlequins thought they’d a second strive 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 successful factors 4 minutes later.
Quins had 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 transferring 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,” mentioned Sale loose-head prop Bevan Rodd.
“Little issues like knock-ons, scrum penalties, breakdown penalties off our ft. Foolish errors that made Quins get again into the sport.”
Speaking Level – Sale Sharks present grit and character in season opener
After a powerful 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 had been once more pivotal to their success. Nevertheless, the grit and dedication of loose-head prop Rudd mirrored the character of his aspect to dig in throughout tough 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 seemed composed in tough 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 beneath the posts to place the hosts forward.
26 – PENALTY! SALE SHARKS (FORD) 6-0 HARLEQUINS: Will Evans comes into the deal with 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 leads to Quins having the possibility to kick for posts. Nevertheless, they kick for contact after which a ensuing drive leads to Walker crossing the whitewash. On his debut Halfpenny has a tough conversion which he shanks properly broad.
39 – PENALTY! SALE SHARKS 6-8 HARLEQUINS (HALFPENNY): Rodd concedes infringement within the deal with 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 11th of September HARLEQUINS (HALFPENNY): The referee awards a penalty towards Sale for failing to play the ball within the deal with. Halfpenny’s long-range effort nearly makes the posts to offer his aspect the lead.
74 – PENALTY! SALE SHARKS (FORD) 12-11 HARLEQUINS: Ford kicks his fourth excellent 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 strive.
