By Charlie Elliott
Asher Opoku-Fourdjour got his first senior try amongst a second half flurry that gave Sale Sharks a well-earned 39-23 victory against Leicester Tigers at the Salford Community Stadum. A cagey first half was summed up by plenty of penalties for both sides, with flashes of quality creating openings. Sale finished the half in the lead by a solitary point, leading 12-11 at the break.
The second half opened much more, and the Sharks showcased some brilliance in attack, out muscling Tigers’ defence. An attempted comeback by the away side in which they got a couple of late tries led to a scoreline which flattered them a bit, and Sale were very good value for the win in the end.
Sale Sharks – 39
Sale Sharks Starting XV:
TRIES: 6 (Dan du Preez 23’ Bevan Rodd 32’ Arron Reed 42’ 47’ Asher Opoku-Fourdjour 51’ Luke Cowan-Dickie 66’)
CONVERSIONS: 3 (Rob du Preez 33’ 52’ 67’)
PENALTIES: 1 (Rob du Preez 72’)
DROP GOALS: 0
YELLOW CARDS: 0
RED CARDS: 0
15. Joe Carpenter, 14. Tom Roebuck, 13. Rob du Preez, 12. Luke James, 11. Arron Reed, 10. George Ford, 9. Gus Warr, 1. Bevan Rodd, 2. Luke Cowan-Dickie, 3. Asher Opoku-Fordjour, 4. Ernst van Rhyn, 5. Hyron Andrews, 6. Tom Curry, 7. Ben Curry ©, 8. Dan du Preez.
Replacements:
16. Tadgh McElroy, 17. Si McIntyre, 18. James Harper, 19. JL du Preez, 20. Tom Burrow, 21. Sam Dugdale, 22. Raffi Quirke, 23. Will Addison.
Leicester Tigers: 23
TRIES: 3 (Nicky Smith 12’ Freddie Steward 57’ George Martin 80’)
CONVERSIONS: 2 (Handre Pollard 58’ Jamie Shillcock 22’)
PENALTIES: 2 (Handre Pollard 19’ 25’)
DROP GOALS: 0
YELLOW CARDS: 1 (Joe Heyes 54’)
RED CARDS: 0
15. Freddie Steward 14. Anthony Watson 13. Izaia Perese 12. Solomone Kata 11. Ollie Hassell-Collins 10. Handre Pollard 9. Jack van Poortvliet 1. Nicky Smith 2. Charlie Claire 3. Joe Heyes 4. George Martin 5. Tom Manz 6. Hanro Liebenberg 7. Tommy Reffell 8. Olly Cracknell
Replacements:
16. Archie Vanes 17. James Cronin 18. Dan Cole 19. Jed Holloway 20. Emeka Ilione 21. Ben Youngs 22. Jamie Shillcock 23. Will Wand.
SALE SHARKS PLAYER RATINGS
15. Joe Carpenter – 6
Relatively quiet game but did what he needed to. Was not hugely tested by his opposition.
14. Tom Roebuck – 6
Pretty quiet, this game was won by the forwards not the backs really, but Roebuck did his part to an extent.
13. Rob du Preez – 7.5
Class from RDP, ran the show from centre and his kicking was a joy to behold, althoguh a couple of missed conversions dampened his game as a whole.
12. Luke James – 7.5
Really well played from James, who Alex Sanderson said played himself into a shirt after some good games over Autumn. Will likely keep it if he keeps it up.
11. Arron Reed – 7
A brace of tries, which were well finished. Did a wingers job which is to get points on the board, and can be applauded for his efforts.
10. George Ford – 6.5
Oozed class against his former club, some nice kicking despite potentially still having an injury, a good shift.
9. Gus Warr – 6.5
A slightly better than average game in which he had limited touches of note but did well with what was made available to him.
1. Bevan Rodd – 7.5
Got a well-deserved try during a strong performance in which his side outmuscled Tigers for the 60 minutes he was on the field. Pure dominance.
2. Luke Cowan-Dickie – 9
Almost impeccible from the lineout in his 73-minute cameo. He was very smart for his only try of the game and it was no less than his talismanic match deserved. In general, he showed his class after coming back from international duty with England.
3. Asher Opoku-Fordjour -7
Formed a brilliant partnership with Bevan Rodd in which they both managed tries. His came from a touch and go, finding space in the way in which a back would be proud of. Overall a very good game.
4. Ernst van Rhyn – 6.5
Strong play all afternoon. Kept things ticking and was a true number four for his side.
5. Hyron Andrews – 6.5
A good focal point from the lineout and offered a fair bit both in and out of possession, a good but not groundbreaking impact.
6. Tom Curry – 6.5
Came off after 60 minutes, not a huge impact but was a solid figure in defence and didn’t let much past him. It was the basics done well for Tom Curry.
7. Ben Curry © – 6.5
Led from the front and his leadership was evident, and despite not much tangible in terms of individual accolades from the game, was still good.
8. Dan du Preez – 7
Kicked off the try scoring for Sale in his 100th appearance at the club. An impressive performance especially out of possession in his milestone game. Came off just under 10 into the second half.
Replacements:
16. Tadgh McElroy – N/A
Saw the game out but had less than ten.
17. Si McIntyre – 6.5
Some very physical play and had a good last 20 minutes.
18. James Harper – 6
Well needed fresh legs and worked hard.
19. JL du Preez – 6.5
Helped his side stay in the lead and get the win, some good moves in there.
20. Tom Burrow – N/A
Just over ten on the pitch , looked okay.
21. Sam Dugdale – 6
On after 58, steadied the ship.
22. Raffi Quirke – 6.5
Good return after a while out, found his feet well.
23. Will Addison – N/A
Only ten minutes on the pitch.
LEICESTER TIGERS PLAYER RATINGS
15. Freddie Steward – 6
Missed a couple of high balls, but redeemed himself in the end with a consolation try after a counter attack.
14. Anthony Watson – 5.5
Came off just after the second half began. Ineffective and failed to get into the game. A poor knock on summed up his performance.
13. Izaia Perese – 6
Kept quiet, wasn’t really a notable game for Perese.
12. Solomone Kata – 6
See Perese.
11. Ollie Hassell-Collins – 6.5
Some good running in general but not a huge impact, did himself no favours by slipping at a crucial moment early on. Good defensive work.
10. Handre Pollard – 7
Good but not perfect kicking from the tee, in play was better, creating chances in an otherwise limited Tigers performance.
9. Jack van Poortvliet – 6
Not as much impact as is expected usually from JVP, was nullified by Sale’s defence very well.
1. Nicky Smith – 6
A powerful finish to get on the scoresheet. Lost a few scrum penalties but personally not a bad game.
2. Charlie Claire – 6.5
Pretty good from the lineout, unremarkable game but amongst the better players in a poor team game.
3. Joe Heyes – 5.5
Dominated for much of the game and also got a needless yellow card after 54 minutes, after which he got subbed off. His side played better while he was in the sin bin.
4. George Martin – 6
Not the best game from Martin, didn’t seem up for it.
5. Tom Manz – 6
Came off after 53 minutes, had a steady game and was good from the lineout. A decent shift.
6. Hanro Liebenberg – 5.5
Cyncial foul summed up a frustrated match from Hanro.
7. Tommy Reffell – 6
Very limited impact on the game, not bad but not good by any stretch of the imagination.
8. Olly Cracknell – 7
Some good line breaks from powerful running, a shining light for Tigers and kept trying to make things happen, despite little avail the effort has to be applauded.
Replacements:
16. Archie Vanes – N/A
On after 73 minutes.
17. James Cronin -6
Barely any impact after coming on at 53 minutes.
18. Dan Cole – 6
Made the team better after coming on at 61 minutes, but nothing special.
19. Jed Holloway – 6.5
Improved the team but with no avail.
20. Emeka Ilione – N/A
On after 73 minutes.
21. Ben Youngs – 6
Pretty anonymous in his 15-minute shift, could have been better but harsh to judge too negatively.
22. Jamie Shillcock – 7
Significantly improved his side and got some points on the board, good game for him.
23. Will Wand – 6
Nothing of note in his almost half-long spell.
