A LAST gasp Charlie Hodgson drop goal saw Sale steal the points from an extremely tight clash with Saracens.

Hodgson's intervention provided an exciting end to an otherwise dull encounter as both sides locked into an all-out kicking duel.

All of Saracens' points came from the boot of fly half Glen Jackson, while Luke McAlister and Hodgson combined to kick all Sale's.

The experimental law variations seemed to have a stifling effect on both sides, as neither could put together a telling move.

Instead, the boot became weapon of choice and on this evidence, the new laws will only make rugby more predictable rather than more exciting.

The heavy sense of anticipation inside Edgeley Park quickly dissipated as the game got underway.

Sale made a simply appalling start.

Jackson placed a cool but firm grip on the game and the resulting territorial advantage gave him a string of chances to put points on the board.

He made no mistake.

As the under-pressure Sharks were forced into errors, he confidently strode up to kick three penalties within the first 26 minutes, handing the visitors a 9-0 lead.

Belatedly, Sale did get going, largely thanks to an injury to Saracens scrum half Neil de Kock. The South African left the field visibly shaken after taking a big hit and his team looked similarly disorientated in his absence.

There was the odd glimmer of hope from Sharks' dazzling backline, particularly Rory Lamont, but it was when their forwards stepped up to the challenge that the points started to come.

Better work at the breakdown gave them the platform they needed and Charlie Hodgson kicked two penalties to cut the gap to three.

But, on the stroke of half time, Hodgson missed an opportunity to level the scores, slicing a penalty attempt wide after Hugh Vyvyan had offended at the ruck.

Still, a three-point deficit after a largely inept first half display felt like a lucky escape.

The Sale revival continued to gather pace after the interval.

With kicking duties handed to Luke McAlister, the Kiwi centre started the half by kicking two penalties, one a booming effort from almost 50 metres.

Sharks still weren't totally convincing though and Saracens were controversially denied the game's first try on 50 minutes.

There was an air of resignation among the home faithful as 20-year-old back row Andy Saull dived over the line but the referee adjudged him to have knocked on before crossing the try-line.

Saracens kept up the pressure though, first turning over possession at the resulting scrum and then camping themselves on the Sale line.

After a couple of penalty awards went the visitors way, a penalty try seemed inevitable but puzzingly, Sarries decided to kick for goal after another Sale offence, rather than go for another scrum.

Jackson duly scored the three points and then exchanged further penalties with McAlister as the kicking duel continued.

Neither team seemed to have the required inspiration to unlock the other's defence and both Hodgson and Jackson badly missed drop goal attempts as time wound down.

Jackson also lashed a penalty attempt wildly off-target with four minutes left.

But Hodgson's drop goal, 11 minutes into injury time, stole the win for Sale.


Sale: Tait; Lamont, McAlister, Bell, Doherty; Hodgson, Wigglesworth (Peel 58); Sheridan, Bruno (Briggs 58), Roberts (Faure 76); Cox (Ormsby 76), Cockbain (Schofield 66); Jones, Abraham, Chabal.

Not used: Cueto, Ripol.

Saracens: Haughton (Wyles 66); Penney, Sorrell, Powell, Ratuvou; Jackson, de Kock (Rauluni 31); Aguero, Ongaro (Cairns 67), Johnston (Visagie 58); Borthwick, Vyvyan; Jack, Saull, Owen (Skirving).

Not used: Chesney, Ross.

Referee: Rob Debney

Attendance: 8,321