 Former England captains Dallaglio and Robinson tussled at Sale |
Sale: (12) 18
Pens: Larrechea (4), Thomas
Drops: Larrechea
Wasps: (6) 12
Pens: Staunton (3)
Drops: Walder
Sale overhauled Wasps to go second in the Guinness Premiership with a narrow victory at Edgeley Park on Friday.
The Sharks led 12-6 at half-time courtesy of three penalties and a drop-goal from Daniel Larrechea.
Wasps doubled their tally after the break when Jeremy Staunton added a third penalty and Dave Walder slotted a late drop-goal for a bonus point.
But another Larrechea penalty and three points from Lee Thomas were enough to keep Sale at arms length.
Both sides were missing a clutch of players due to injuries and international call-ups and French fly-half Larrechea, playing in place of England stand-off Charlie Hodgson, provided the few sparks of inspiration in a feisty, forward-dominated encounter.
Sale went closest early on when Jason White's deft offload looked to have put in Chris Day but Wasps' Ireland flanker Jonny O'Connor thundered in with a crucial tackle on his return from injury.
Wasps boss Ian McGeechan withdrew England hopeful Lawrence Dallaglio late on but insisted it was a tactical move.
"It was just to put some fresh legs on and keep the pressure on in the last 10 minutes or so," said McGeechan.
It was Wasps' first return to Edgeley Park since last season's 22-12 semi-final play-off defeat which saw Sale book their place in the Premiership final.
Sale coach Philippe Saint-Andre:
"If you want to be in the top four then you have to win big games during the international break. "I'm very proud of the players. It was maybe not an open game but it was a physical game and very close.
"But I think we deserved to win because we showed a lot of composure and patience during the 80 to 85 minutes."
Wasps director of rugby Ian McGeechan:
"It was two very competitive teams and I don't think there was anything between them. "There were very few chances and both defences were very good. We just lost out on the penalty stakes and I think a draw would probably have been a fair result.
"We did enough to at least share the points - if not take them - and we missed a couple of chances near the end."
Sale: Robinson; Foden, Taylor, Seveali'I, Ripol; Larrechea, Wigglesworth; Lewis Roberts, Bruno, Stewart; Fernandez Lobbe, Day; White, Hills, Chabal
Replacements: Titterrell, Evans, Schofield/Cox, Bonner Evans, Bell/Hanley, Mayor, Martens.
Wasps: Staunton; Thrower, Erinle, Waters, Voyce; King, Amor; Payne, Ward, Bracken; Shaw, Birkett; Skivington, O'Connor, Dallaglio.
Replacements: Barrett, Vickery, Palmer, Haskell, Reddan, Walder, Purdy.
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