Leicester overcome Sale in epic encounter
Toby Flood had his kicking boots on for Leicester
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Saturday, 04, Apr 2009 09:08
Leicester Tigers moved back to the top of the Guinness Premiership with an enthralling 37-31 win over the Sale Sharks at Welford Road.
The Tigers victory was even more impressive as they had to play much of the game with only 14 men as they saw Julian White get sent-off for punching Andrew Sheridan after just 23 minutes.
Alesana Tuilagi plundered his way through two Sale players to touch down for the opening try with Toby Flood adding the conversion. Flood added a penalty and Charlie Hodgson kicked on for Sale as Leicester took a 10-3 lead.
In a battle between two English fly-halfs, it was Hodgson who stole the limelight early on. It was his brilliant inside ball which gave Mark Cueto the chance to cut through the Tigers defence and score his first try. The conversion from Hodgson saw Sale back on level terms.
But that only lasted three minutes as Sam Vesty made a break for Leicester and Scott Hamilton put the finishing touch to the move. Vest added the extras for Leicester.
Leicester looked to be up against it when they had White sent-off after the England prop floored Sheridan with a right hook.
Sale took advantage of the extra man as the lightning-quick Matthew Tait made an outside break and gave the ball to Cueto who did superbly to stay in touch and grab his second try.
Hodgson missed the conversion, but then kicked a penalty to give his side an 18-17 lead.
Flood regained the lead for Leicester with a penalty, but Sale then scored another try as Neil Briggs went over after receiving another delightful pass from Tait. Sale now had a five point lead after Hodgson added the extras.
Leicester though were in no mood to throw away their lead at the top of the Guinness Premiership and ran in three tries in a devastating second-half spell.
Hamilton, Vesty and Dan Hipkiss grabbed a try each to win the game for the Tigers.
A late penalty from Hodgson ensured Sale went away with a deserved bonus point after playing their part in an entertaining game.