 | Sale (10) 26
Tries: Cueto, Hodgson
Cons: Hodgson 2
Pens: Hodgson 4 Newcastle (7) 25
Tries: Burke, Elliot 2
Cons: Walder, Wilkinson
Pens: Wilkinson
Drop goals: Wilkinson |
Jonny Wilkinson missed a last-gasp conversion to consign his Newcastle side to defeat at the hands of Sale in the Premiership opener at Edgeley Park. The England fly-half was influential when he came on at half-time but missed his kick after Anthony's Elliot's 80th-minute try to ensure Sale's win.
In contrast, England rival Charlie Hodgson was imperious with the boot for Sale as he kicked 16 points.
Hodgson also touched down for Sale to add to Mark Cueto's first-half try.
Sale had gone in at the break with a 10-7 lead, but Wilkinson had an immediate impact.
He laid the platform for Elliott to score a try three minutes into the second half, and added the conversion to give Newcastle a 14-10 lead.
Two penalties for Hodgson and one for Wilkinson left the game finely poised with Newcastle one point in front.
But when Wilkinson made a handling error on the half-way line, Hodgson collected the loose ball and left his counterpart in his wake to score a vital try.
Another penalty from Hodgson gave Sale what turned out to be a winning advantage, only for Wilkinson's drop goal to close the gap to six points and set up a nervous last few minutes.
But Sale could yet suffer for their win - they have risked the wrath of governing body the RFU by playing four Lions stars for the whole game.
The RFU is insisting that anyone who went on the Lions tour should play no more than 40 minutes at a time within 11 weeks of returning from New Zealand. But Hodgson, Cueto, Andrew Sheridan and Jason Robinson all played the full 80 minutes.
Sale chief Philippe Saint-Andre shrugged off the threat of punishment after his Lions quartet steered his side to victory over Newcastle.
Saint-Andre broke Rugby Football Union rules which say England's elite players should not play more than half a match within 11 weeks of the Lions tour.
"It was the first game at home and people want to watch the stars and the big names.
"We are not crazy. During the season, we will rest these players a lot."
Newcastle director of rugby Rob Andrew:
"I am delighted with that performance. "Sale are a side that are pretty much tipped to win the whole thing. There wasn't a lot between the two sides.
"We are always pretty close with Sale and everybody thinks they have a side capable of winning the Premiership."
Sale: Larrechea, Cueto, Taylor, Seveali'i, Robinson, Hodgson, Wigglesworth, Sheridan, Bruno, Stewart, Lobbe, Jones, White, Lund, Chabal.
Replacements: Todd for Larrechea (80), Courrent for Wigglesworth (80), Turner for Stewart (50), Schofield for Lobbe (68), Day for Jones (40), Titterrell for Chabal (70).
Not used: Faure.
Sin Bin: White (70).
Newcastle: Burke, May, Noon, Mayerhofler, Elliot, Walder, Charlton, Peel, Long, Paoletti, Perry, Parling, Dowson, Harris, Charvis.
Replacements: J Wilkinson for Walder (40), Ward for Peel (53), Thompson for Long (72), Morris for Paoletti (60), Grimes for Perry (53), Gross for Parling (75).
Not used: Grindal.
Att: 10,456
Ref: Tony Spreadbury (Bristol).
MMIX
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