Matchday Live

Sale Sharks continue to build momentum after starting their Premiership Rugby Cup campaign with a 25-19 win over Leicester Tigers at the AJ Bell Stadium

Senior Academy Coach Gareth Harris, who was in charge of the Sharks on the night decided to pick a mix of youth and experience in his squad. It was the experienced that showed as premiership regulars Arron Reed, Sam Dugdale and Josh Beaumont all crossed the whitewash to secure a third successive victory.

Leicester began the strongest on a mild night in Salford and after Dom Barrow was shown yellow for collapsing a rolling maul seven minutes in referee Hamish Smales went under the sticks for a penalty try following a string of consecutive penalties inside their 22.

Sale finally got a grip on proceedings and started to show some flair and expanse in attack, turning the penalty count against the Tigers. Kieran Wilkinson missed his first attempt off the tee but made no mistake with his second on the 20-minute mark.

The away side looked more likely to score next following multiple phases close to the Sale line, but the pressure was released as Tom Horton fumbled with the try-line in sight. Moments later, the Sharks made that mistake pay and took the lead as Nye Thomas made an excellent break before offloading to Sam Dugdale who eventually crashed over from close range. Wilkinson added the extras.

That would be the final score of the half as both sides’ defences stood firm.

Sale came out firing after the break and had two quick-fire tries, first through Arron Reed following a break on the left from Ewan Ashman, and then captain Josh Beaumont dived over following good play from the Sharks forwards. Wilkinson knocked over the first of the conversions.

Tigers hit back with two tries off their own. First debutant Horton dived over off the back of a rolling maul, and then Lewis Chessum charged down a clearance kick and regathered before running in from 30 metres. Walsh knocked over the second conversion to bring the gap to three.

Leicester had opportunities to take the lead in the final ten minutes and will massively rue a missed kick to the corner when a simple three points were on offer, but Wilkinson ended hopes of a Tigers victory with a penalty on the stroke of full-time.