| Friendly | ||||
 | Sale Sharks | 39 | ||
 | Lyon | 14 | ||
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| Sale Sharks came good during the second half, eventually running in five tries against one. Mathew Tait grabbed two tries from full back against Raphael Saint Andre's stubborn side. The first thirty minutes witnessed a succession of handling errors, with the only scores coming from penalties by Hodgson and Fourie for a 6-9 scoreline in the visitors' favour. Andy Tuilagi made a typically direct run down the right wing after 14 minutes, but try scoring chances were few. After Lyon centre Vinaya Wakanivuga had received a yellow card, the Stockport Band rendered the 'Dam Busters' theme during a lull in the proceedings. On the resumption, The Sharks won a lineout but somehow lost possession, conceding a penalty to allow Fourie to put Lyon ahead for the only time during the game. Just before the half hour mark, a swift exchange of passes involving Cueto, Wigglesworth and Schofield set Tait free to score the first try. Hodgson converted. McAlister's quickly taken tap penalty set up try number two for Doherty after 36 minutes to give the home side a lead of 18-9 at the break. The level of aggression seemed to increase after the break, with Peel introduced on 47 minutes to immediately step up the speed of the restarts. The Sharks' improved lineout set up seven minutes of attritional forward play, including five scrums. There was niggle between the front rows, and referee Martin Fox eventually lost patience, awarding the Sharks a penalty try on 58 minutes, Hodgson converting. Skipper Juan Fernandez Lobbe scythed through a tiring defence five minutes later, Hodgson adding the extras. The customary raft of changes had the usual unsettling effect on the Sharks and, with the game 'in the bag', they found themselves defending with five minutes left. Replacement Sydney Galopin crossed for Lyon, but it was Tait who had the final say with a minute left - the try of the game, involving two 'hand offs' and a run round to the posts. McAlister converted. Skipper Fernandez Lobbe led by example, Bruno burrowed effectively, and newcomers Peel and Tait whetted the Sharks' fans' appetite for Guinness Premiership and Heineken Cup action. Roll on Newcastle! Scoring (Sharks first) 3-0, 6-0, 6-3, 6-6, 6-9, 13-9, 18-9 (Half time) 25-9, 32-9, 32-14, 39-14. Scorers: Sharks - Tries: Tait (2), Doherty, Penalty, Fernandez Lobbe. Conversions: Hodgson (3) , McAlister. Penalties: Hodgson (2). Lyon - Try: Galopin. Penalties: Fourie (3). Teams: Sharks - Tait; Cueto, Tuilagi, McAlister, Doherty; Hodgson, Wigglesworth; Faure, Bruno, Roberts, Schofield, Cox, C.Jones, Fernandez Lobbe (Capt), Chabal. Reps. M.Jones for Bruno (59), Turner for Faure (62), Halsall for Roberts (55), Cockbain for Schofield (55), Peel for Wigglesworth (47), Macleod (not used), Ripol for Doherty (78), Bell for Tuilagi (73), Hills for Fernandez Lobbe (69), Fearns for Chabal (80), Briggs (not used), Royle for Cueto (67). Lyon - Fourie; Gautherie, Raffault, Wakanivuga, Marienval; Sadourny, Salobert; Fiard, Taukafa, Pakihivatau, Nauroy, Fakate, Bontinck, Laurent, Gambetta (Capt.). Reps. Weber for Fiard (62), Testa for Taukafa (H/T), Castellina for Pakihivatau (62), Ngauamo for Fakate (H/T), Cadic for Gambetta (62), Portier for Laurent (H/T), Nicoud for Salobert (H/T), Lancelle for Sadourny (62), Galopin for Raffault (62), Saunier for Marienval (H/T). Referee - Mr.Martin Fox |
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