Rugby Union: Sale cruise past West

Sale 42 West Hartlepool 26

SALE HAVE not been anywhere near their best of late. But their win at London Irish last weekend halted a four-match losing run in the Premiership to hint that their climb to mid-table security would be continued at Heywood Road last night against West Hartlepool, who have lost 48 of their last 51 games in the top flight, and all 10 this campaign. Although the scoreline may suggest otherwise, Sale won at a canter.

West fielded their strongest side of the season, but Sale were allowed no such luxury. They were without six first-choice players, with Tom Beim, Phil Greening, Shane Howarth and Dion O'Cuinneagain on international duty, but they showed no trace of unfamiliarity as they quickly had West in disarray.

David Rees would almost certainly have preferred to be with his England colleagues, but this was his first League start since recovering from a groin injury. It was Rees who set up the position which enabled Steve Davidson to cross with half the West defence clutching at shadows. Davidson converted to add to his earlier penalty.

Steve Vile dented Sale's progress with a couple of penalties, though sandwiched between these scores was a try which in more ways than one exemplified the difference between the teams. Sale had been pounding away at the West line and though West were offside the referee played advantage. When Sale were halted, Kevin Ellis took a quick tap and went in under the posts. It was hardly terminal to West's cause, but the penalty try awarded when Steve Diamond was tackled illegally, almost certainly was.

From 24-9, West's decline continued as Ellis grabbed a second try, Davidson tagged on two more penalties, and Sale were in the clear at 37-16. West got a penalty try and Steve John outpaced the Sale cover for a try at the death. But Dave Baldwin had the last word for Sale with a try to confirm their overall superiority.

Sale: Tries Ellis 2, Baldwin, Davidson, penalty; Conversions Davidson 4; Penalties Davidson 3. West Hartlepool: Tries S John, penalty; Conversions: Benson, Vile. Penalties Vile 3, Benson.

Sale: J Mallinder (capt); D Rees, S Davidson, C Yates, M Moore; J Baxendell, K Ellis, R Smith 69); P Winstanley, S Diamond (D Geraghty 69), D Bell, D Baldwin (C Murphy 73), S Raiwalui, A Sanderson, P Sanderson, P Angelsea.

West Hartlepool: E Farrell; T Lough, G MacLure, J Connolly (P Tanginoa, 74) S John; S Vile (J Benson, 56), T Nu'ualiti'itia (R Stone, 13); S Sparks, B Cullinane, P Beal, P Farner (capt),(B Fuller 6), M Giacheri, M Salter, S Cassidy (J Ponton, h-t) M Brewer.

Referee: S Savage (Nuneaton).

n Bath coasted to a 34-7 victory over Swansea with a five-try performance in a friendly at the Recreation Ground last night. The former All Black Jon Preston enjoyed a composed first team debut, the stand-off kicking three conversions and one penalty.