Ashton double proves Sharks are big threat on the wings

CHRIS Ashton lit up a compelling contest with a sniper’s try-double as Sale secured a fourth successive Premiership Cup win to set up a potential home final.

Top seeded Sharks will host Saracens in their semi-final in the knowledge that, if they prevail, they will meet either Exeter or Harlequins at the AJ Bell Stadium.

Sharks supremo Steve Diamond said: “We’ve got riches in the wider channels and we’re hitting the Premiership where we want to be. We’ll take on Gloucester next week with a bit of confidence.”

Paddy Jackson kicked two early penalties to the corner as Irish showed intent, the second producing a long-range maul that was finished by Saia Fainga’a. However, a period of heavy Sale pressure ensued before Hammersley flew over from Daniel du Preez’s pass.

Sale looked set for a second try when Jake Cooper- Woolley attacked the line. But dogged Irish defending repelled the prop and Tom Fowlie’s turnover on Sam James enabled them to clear.

Sharks prop Coenie Oosthuizen then pulled off an impressive turnover of his own and Sale struck immediately when Rob Webber sent du Preez roaring into space. Ashton tracked the No.8 before collecting a popped pass and sliding under the sticks.

A ninth Sale penalty concession saw Webber sin-binned, enabling Jackson to reduce Irish’s arrears to two points. The visitors ended the half on top, though, as Rob du Preez added a penalty after good work from Ashton and Will Cliff for a 12-10 lead.

Irish pressed from the restart, earning two closerange scrums. From the second, Ruan Botha and Franco van der Merwe went close before Ollie Hoskins bashed over.

Exiles came again, with Cliff needing to be alert from a Theo BrophyClews grubber as Ben Loader closed. There was no let-up as Jackson booted another penalty to the corner before he and Scott Steele combined to send in Loader for 22-15.

Sharks responded when Ashton grubbered through before beating Tom Parton to score.

Rob du Preez’s conversion levelled matters and, after Barney Maddison saw yellow for a high shot on Hammersley, Akker van der Merwe peeled off the resultant lineout drive to put Sale back in front with a try-bonus.

Irish skipper Franco van der Merwe said: “We’ve used a lot of combinations in these cup games and we look better prepared this time. Hopefully, we’ll take that into Wasps next week.”