Luke adds finishing touch for Sharks

A SECOND half try from Luke James sealed the win for Sale to leapfrog Wasps into third place.

Having lost at home to leaders Exeter last Saturday, Sale, who were in second place coming out of lockdown, needed a win to ensure they remained in the top four.

Sale director rugby Steve Diamond said: “Exeter and Bristol have shown they’re the top two sides and it’s any two of four below them to get in there.

“We can kick on from this if we get a similar performance discipline-wise.”

AJ MacGinty kicked three penalties to two from Jimmy Gopperth to give Sale a 9-6 half-time lead.

Wasps almost scored early in the second half, but the Sharks’ defence did well to keep them out and set the base for a solid second-half display. Continued ill discipline aided Sale’s task with MacGinty kicking two more penalties.

Sale were out of sight when James went over after an hour for his sixth try of the season after a good move down the right.

Sale No.8 Jono Ross was yellow-carded with five minutes to go after barging over Ben Vellacott as he chased a kick. From the penalty Wasps kicked to touch and mauled a lineout up to the Sale line, but Tom Cruse was held up in goal.

Wasps kept up the pressure and broke through courtesy of flanker Willis, but Gopperth’s missed conversation meant they failed to get a losing bonus point.

The loss ended Wasps’ five-game winning run.

Wasps head coach Lee Blackett said: “We gave away too many penalties. Sale were good and they managed the referee better.”