Prem Rugby Cup
Sale (14) 38
Tries: Wills, Ma’asi-White, Longstaff, Jibulu 2, penalty try Cons: Davies 3
Exeter (12) 24
Tries: Poynton, Coen, McArthur, Wolstenholme Cons: Coen 2
Centre Rekeiti Ma’asi-White scored a try on his 50th appearance for Sale as the Sharks turned up the power to beat Exeter Chiefs and continue their impressive form in the Prem Rugby Cup.
While the league campaign has been a struggle, Alex Sanderson’s team have shown up well in Pool A and a bonus-point win at Corpacq Stadium stretched their lead at the top.
Exeter struck first in the 11th minute with a try by left-wing Charlie Poynton, but Sale’s response was instant as wing Alex Wills outjumped the Chiefs defence to grab a cross-kick and touch down.
The sin-binning of Paul Brown-Bampoe for taking Wills out in the air gave the home side a man advantage for 10 minutes and they exploited it with a try by Ma’asi-White.
Ben Coen had an opportunity to cut the deficit with a penalty, only to strike the post from 40 metres out, but the Exeter stand-off made amends with the last play of the half, stepping over from Zack Wimbush’s pass to score the Chiefs’ second try.
Exeter, with 145kg prop Ehren Painter back and making his presence felt after almost two years out with a knee injury, were dominating the scrum but it was the Sharks’ driving maul which came to the fore after the break to pull them clear.
Three maul tries, one from hooker Alfie Longstaff and two for his replacement Nathan Jibulu did the damage with Sale adding a penalty try as Exeter illegally disrupted another drive close to their line. Hooker Max Norey was yellow-carded.
Exeter did though manage a try-scoring bonus point with prop Archie McArthur and captain Sam Wolstenholme crossing in the second half to nudge them off the bottom of Pool A.
Sale: Keogh; Roebuck, Louw, Ma’asi-White, Wills; Davies, Hanson; McEachran, Longstaff, Dlamini, Hogg, Hodkinson, Scheepers, Woodman, Kelly
Replacements: Jibulu, Spencer, Bell, Logan, Austin, Bayston, Pasco, D Opoku-Fordjour
Exeter: Harris; Brown-Bampoe, Lilley, Wimbush, Poynton; Coen, Wolstenholme; Goodrick-Clarke, Dweba, Painter, Pearson, Beckerleg, Goedhals, Worley-Brady, Tuipulotu
Replacements: Norey, McArthur, J Roots, Nkwocha, Bailey, Cairns, Batson, McIntosh
Referee: Alex Thomas
