Sale ……………………………… 54pts
Tries: Roebuck 8, James 19, 78; Curry 31, Rodd 43, Quirke 55, Penalty 69, Reed 73
Conversions: Ford 9, 20, 32, 44, 74, 79
Newcastle…………………….12pts
Tries: Rubiolo 3, Blamire 80+2
Conversions: Connon 4
SALE warmed up for their Premiership play-off semi-final against Leicester with an impressive and fluent display against old rivals Newcastle who will be glad to see the end of this season.
Alex Sanderson’s team built up a nice head of steam in a performance that will leave a couple of selection dilemmas hanging in the air this week.
Raffi Quirke was a livewire at nine although you would expect Gus Warr still to start against Tigers while Sam James, not always a regular starter at centre this season, vied with Ben Curry as man of the match when he came off the bench.
James’s value to Sale is acknowledged by everybody at the club but the return from injury of George Ford has seen Rob du Preez – on the shortlist of four for Premiership player of the season – shuffle into midfield recently alongside Manu Tuilagi. Three into two doesn’t go.
There was also a minor injury worry concerning Tuilagi, who departed early in the first half with what appeared to be a deep cut to the webbing of his hand. He should heal up in time but it’s an irritation nonetheless.
Newcastle were outclassed for most of the game but, as they did recently against Northampton, started with a belting try with Elliott Obatoyinbo unleashing a couple of trademark flashing steps to carve a hole and then off-load to Argentinian flanker Pedro Rubiolo. Obatoyinbo was to enjoy a strong game in adversity.
Promising stuff and for a while the Falcons threatened a second try but, gradually, with the elements on their back, Sale took control with three tries before the break.
Tom Roebuck chased a high ball from Ford – he looked very close to being offside – and didn’t break stride as he leapt mighty to snatch it out of Sam Stuart’s hands for a converted score.
Then young full-back Joe Carpenter, Sale and possibly the Premiership’s find of the season, made a trademark burst to prise open the Falcons before passing intelligently inside to the supporting Sam James. A classy score.
And finally before the break a bit of grunt by the forwards, who laid siege methodically before Ben Curry, making his 150th appearance for the club, added an extra bit of dynamic power to force his way over close to the posts.
After the break it was all Sale, who got nicely into their groove.
Bevan Rodd brought up the try bonus, Quirke raced in from 40 yards after collecting a wild pass by Carl Fearns and Josh Beaumont was denied a try with his touchdown coming a fraction after referee Sara Cox indicated a penalty try.
In the final stanza, Arron Reed was on hand after good work from both forwards and backs with Carpenter providing the final pass and that man James reached over cleverly for his second try.
Newcastle kept going, mainly you suspect in an attempt to fashion a try for Matteo Carreras as he chased the leading try scorer title in the Premiership, but ultimately their only reward was a late try for the deserving Jamie Balmire, another who kept going for the full 80.
Newcastle interim coach Mark Laycock said: “Sale were excellent today and really took their chances and put us to the sword.
“Our big challenge this summer is to regroup.
“We have nearly finished our recruiting and that process is underway.”
TEAMS
SALE: Carpenter 7.5; Roebuck 7, R du Preez 7.5, Tuilagi 6 (James 16, 7) Reed; Ford 8, Quirke 7.5 (Cliff 60, 7); Rodd 7.5 (McIntyre 49,7), Ashman 7, (Caine 62, 7) Oosthuizen 7.5 (Harper 49, 7.5), D du Preez 7. 5 (Ellis 49, 7.5), Hill 7.5, Dugdale 7, B Curry 8 Ross 7 (Beaumont 55, 7)
NEWCASTLE: Obatoyinbo 7.5; Radwan 6.5, Moroni 6 (Schoeman 55, 5), Orlando 5, Carreras 6; Connon 6 (Thomas 70, 6), Stuart 6 (Barton 57, 5); Brocklebank 5 (Brantingham 10, 6), Blamire 7.5 (Caine 62, 5) Tampin 6 (Palframan 50, 5), Peterson 6, de Chaves 7.5, Rubiolo 6, van der Walt 6 (Lockwood 59, 6), Chick 6 (Fearns 30, 6)
REFEREE: Sara Cox
ATTENDANCE: 7,500
Star man: Ben Curry – Sale