Hodgson guides Sharks to emphatic victory over hapless Leeds
Charlie Hodgson's display is a timely boost for England coach Brian Ashton for the Six Nations
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Friday, 15, Feb 2008 10:29
Charlie Hodgson kicked 19 points as Sale beat Leeds Carnegie 29-3 at Edgeley Park in the Guinness Premiership.
The England international kicked five penalties and two conversions for the dominant Sharks while Luke McAlister and Chris Bell touched down.
The defeat for Leeds means they still have not won on the road since November 2005.
Chris Mayor started on the wing for the Sharks in place of Rory Lamont, who has a shoulder injury while Sean Cox dropped to the bench and was replaced by Chris Jones at number six.
Prop Adam Hopcroft was ruled out with a neck injury and was replaced on the bench by Michael Cusack for Leeds.
Sale raced into a 9-0 lead thanks to three penalties from outside-half Hodgson.
New Zealand centre McAlister grabbed the home side's first try when he cut from inside in his own half after receiving Hodgson's pass and galloped over the line to give the Sharks a 16-0 half time lead.
Alberto Di Bernado struck early for the visitors with a penalty at the start of the second half.
But Hodgson continued to profit from Leeds' indiscipline by booting over two more penalties.
Leeds' miserable evening continued when substitute Adam Balding was sin-binned for a high tackle on England wing Mark Cueto in the 70th minute.
Sale capped off an impressive display when Bell scored seven minutes from time, which was converted by man-of-the-match Hodgson.