Opening try: Daniel Braid
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A dramatic finish in Salford saw Sale Sharks fight back to claim an important 21-16 win over Exeter Chiefs on Friday.
Mark Cueto, the former England wing, crossed in the left corner in the 53rd minute for his 76th Premiership try, surpassing ex-Sale team-mate Steve Hanley's record.
Sale trailed 13-5 at the break despite Daniel Braid's 17th-minute try but Cueto's effort sparked a comeback that earned the league's bottom side their third win of the season. They now trail London Irish, who have a game in hand, by one point.
Exeter dominated the opening period; Gareth Steenson kicked a pair of penalties and converted Watsoni Votu's 34th-minute try to build the visitors' lead, which had grown to 16-5 when Steenson added his third penalty early in the second half.
But Cueto's try was converted by Rob Miller and two penalties - one from Miller and the other via a post from Danny Cipriani - moved Sale in front for the first time after 64 minutes.
Nick Macleod's late drop goal padded the lead five points and the TMO ruled out an Exeter try for a forward pass with less than a minute on the clock as Sale held on.
The scorers:
For Sale:
Tries: Braid, Cueto
Con: Miller
Pens: Miller, Cipriani
Drop Goal: MacLeod
For Exeter:
Try: Votu
Con: Steenson
Pens: Steenson 3
Yellow Card: Horstmann
Sale: 15 Rob Miller, 14 Charlie Amesbury, 13 Jonny Leota, 12 Sammy Tuitupou, 11 Mark Cueto, 10 Danny Cipriani, 9 Dwayne Peel, 8 James Gaskell, 7 David Seymour (capt), 6 Dan Braid, 5 Kearnan Myall, 4 Tom Holmes, 3 Henry Thomas, 2 Tommy Taylor, 1 Ross Harrison.
Replacements: 16 Marc Jones, 17 Alasdair Dickinson, 18 Tony Buckley, 19 Fraser McKenzie, 20 Richie Vernon, 21 Will Cliff, 22 Nick Macleod, 23 Will Addison.
Exeter: 15 Luke Arscott, 14 Watisoni Votu, 13 Sireli Naqelevuki, 12 Jason Shoemark, 11 Jack Nowell, 10 Gareth Steenson, 9 Will Chudley, 8 Richard Baxter, 7 James Scaysbrook, 6 Ben White, 5 Dean Mumm, 4 Tom Hayes (capt), 3 Hoani Tui, 2 Neil Clark, 1 Ben Moon.
Replacements: 16 Jack Yeandle, 17 Carl Rimmer, 18 Alex Brown, 19 Aly Muldowney, 20 Kai Horstmann, 21 Haydn Thomas, 22 Ignacio Mieres, 23 Phil Dollman.
Referee: Greg Garner
Comments
Kid_Diablo says...
i'm almost embarrassed to admit it but when i saw sales squad i thought they'd push for top 4 this season, nothing against welsh but i wouldn't like to see either irish or sale relegated this season. i think if sale can stay up and use the summer to regroup they could have a good year next season ( if they get a decent stable coaching setup in place )
Posted 00:36 09th February 2013
ArmchairGeneral says...
@TV I still think London Welsh but agree Sale can get safe from here. Well done them. Exeter: sad to see them fading but to be expected after such a tough HC pool where they fought so heroically. Think Irish will also get into gear now relegation fight is really on. Injuries / recoveries permitting.
Posted 23:34 08th February 2013
TVaddict says...
The fight back begins. London Irish will be relegated this season, I can feel it.
Posted 22:34 08th February 2013