Wasps sink Sale in try-fest

Editor

Five try Wasps ease past Sale despite a late flurry, winning 34-24 at the Ricoh Arena.

First half tries from Danny Cipriani and a brace from Ashley Johnson put Wasps into a commanding lead at the break. Bryn Evans struck for Sale shortly after the break, but a Rob Miller double wrapped up the points. 

Evans struck Sale's second later on for a consolation, with Mike Haley following it in the final minutes. Coming into this one with poor form behind them, Wasps were hoping to build on their strong home form at the Ricoh Arena. 

They fell behind early on through an AJ MacGinty penalty, rounding off some strong early pressure. But the hosts snatched the opening try through Cipriani, dropping the shoulder and going through after Christian Wade and Thomas Young's strong work in the build-up. The conversion followed as Wasps took a four point advantage. 

The lead was stretched through Jimmy Gopperth, kicking another three through after an offside in the Sale 22 metre line. It was all Wasps from that point on, peppering the Sale line with attack after attack as the visitors struggled to hold back the storm. 

Johnson was able to finally get himself through and down, with the TMO deeming that he had safely grounded the ball. Gopperth converted again as the game slipped away from Sharks quickly. Johnson extended the lead with the third try of the half.

Gopperth and Kyle Eastmond made earlier breaks, before Johnson powered himself all the way over to increase Sharks woes. Gopperth failed to hit the extras but a 19 point lead looked far too big to cling back. 

The visitors gave themselves hope after half-time though. Evans sprinted his way downfield after good hands on the right hand side, with the conversion making the gap 10 points. But two tries in two minutes stopped any chance of a comeback, with Wasps ensuring their strong home record continued. 

Miller got the first after beating the full-back for an impressive fourth try of the afternoon. The conversion followed, before try five came only a couple of minutes later. Miller got the double, finishing off Dan Robson's work in the build up to strengthen the advantage. Evans got Sale's second try after capitalising on a poor clearance. 

Sharks were rallying at the death and cut the gap to 10 with their third try of the afternoon. Wasps' heads were already in the changing rooms and they failed to spot the run of Haley along the right hand side, sneaking through with three to go. 

It wasn't enough for the bonus point though, as Wasps recorded a 34-24 win.

The Scorers:

For Wasps:
Tries:
Cipriani, Johnson 2, Miller 2
Cons: Gopperth 3
Pens: Gopperth

For Sale Sharks:
Tries:
Evans 2, Haley
Cons: MacGinty 2, Arscott
Pens: MacGinty

Wasps: 15 Rob Miller, 14 Christian Wade, 13 Kyle Eastmond, 12 Jimmy Gopperth, 11 Frank Halai, 10 Danny Cipriani, 9 Joe Simpson, 8 Alex Rieder, 7 Thomas Young, 6 Ashley Johnson, 5 Kearnan Myall, 4 Matt Symons, 3 Marty Moore, 2 Tommy Taylor, 1 Matt Mullan (c)
Replacements: 16 Jack Willis, 17 Tom Bristow, 18 Phil Swainston, 19 Will Rowlands, 20 James Gaskell, 21 Dan Robson, 22 Alapati Leiua, 23 Tom Howe

Sale Sharks: 15 Mike Haley, 14 Will Addison, 13 Sam James, 12 Sam Tuitupou, 11 Josh Charnley, 10 AJ MacGinty, 9 Mike Phillips, 8 Josh Beaumont (c), 7 Ben Curry, 6 TJ Ioane, 5 Andrei Ostrikov, 4 Bryn Evans, 3 Brian Mujati, 2 Neil Briggs, 1 Ross Harrison
Replacements: 16 Rob Webber, 17 James Flynn, 18 Halani Aulika, 19 Cameron Neild, 20 Tom Curry, 21 Peter Stringer, 22 Mark Jennings, 23 Tom Arscott

Referee: Thomas Foley