In a thrilling Premiership encounter at the Salford Community Stadium, Sale Sharks produced a sensational second-half performance to defeat Leicester Tigers 39-25. The victory not only handed the Tigers their first away loss of the season but also showcased the Sharks’ remarkable home form under Director of Rugby Alex Sanderson.
Slow Start, Strong Finish for Sale Sharks
The match began with Leicester asserting their dominance, opening the scoring through a Nicky Smith try and a Handré Pollard penalty to take an 8-0 lead. However, Sale gradually found their footing, with Dan du Preez marking his 100th appearance for the club with a crucial try. Despite trailing by a point at halftime, the Sharks had the momentum heading into the break.
Cowan-Dickie Leads the Charge
England international Luke Cowan-Dickie put in an outstanding performance for Sale, with his lineout prowess proving to be a valuable weapon. The hooker’s pinpoint delivery set up Bevan Rodd’s try just before halftime, giving the Sharks a slender one-point lead at the interval.
We were painting a bit of a bad picture in that first half and we knew we had the things to fix it. We were a bit braver in attack and on transition, we leaned into our maul well and when you’re doing that, it opens up elsewhere.
Alex Sanderson, Sale Sharks Director of Rugby
Stunning Second-Half Display
Sale’s second-half performance was nothing short of breathtaking. A long-range try from Arron Reed, set up by the vision of George Ford and Rob du Preez, extended their lead. Reed soon crossed again to secure the bonus point before the 50th minute.
The Sharks continued to dominate, with debutant Asher Opoku-Fordjour scoring his first senior try just a week after making his England debut. Cowan-Dickie then capped off his impressive display with a try of his own, sealing the victory for Sale.
Tigers’ Fightback Falls Short
Leicester mounted a late comeback, with tries from Freddie Steward and George Martin giving them hope of securing a losing bonus point. However, the Tigers ultimately fell short, leaving the Salford Community Stadium empty-handed.
Home Form Key for Sale’s Playoff Push
This victory highlights the importance of Sale’s home form as they aim to make the Premiership playoffs. The Sharks have now won all four of their home matches this season, a record that could prove crucial in their quest for a top-four finish.
- Sale Sharks have lost just five Premiership home games since Alex Sanderson’s appointment in January 2021
- The victory over Leicester Tigers reduces the gap to the top four to just four points
- The Sharks have won all four of their home matches this season
While Sale’s away form has been inconsistent, with four losses from four matches, their ability to win at the Salford Community Stadium could be the key to their success this season. As the Premiership reaches its halfway point, the Sharks have put the league’s leading teams on notice with this impressive victory over Leicester.
