Quick-thinking Bawden gives Sale the edge

SUPER SUB Hollie Bawden’s intercept try spared Sale Sharks from a share of the points in the battle of the Premier 15s newcomers.

The replacement back struck in the dying seconds as Exeter were punished for trying to attack from deep, with a risky pass in midfield setting Bawden loose to the line.

It was Sale’s fourth win of the season and one they fully deserved as Chiefs gathered little impetus in either half to mount scoring opportunities.

Early pressure from the hosts was limited to a Katy Daley-Mclean penalty by

Exeter’s defence, after Sale had spent ten minutes camped in Chiefs half.

The restart allowed Exeter to hit the reset button and scores were soon tied three minutes later as Exeter gathered their own kick-off to work through the phases and draw Sharks offside. Gabby Cantorna slotted the penalty.

The odds of scoring the game’s first try remained heavily in Sale’s favour as they pushed into Chiefs’ territory. Their efforts were rewarded on the stroke of half-time with Daley-Mclean breaking clear and getting the ball away to wing Lisa Neumann for the score.

All of Sale’s good work was at risk of being in vain when Vicky Irwin was sent to the sin-bin for catching Flo Robinson high in contact.

Four minutes later Exeter drew level through Sachiko Kato, following a quickly-taken penalty.

Cantorna converted to set up a nervous final ten minutes, but Sale held their nerve through Bawden’s intercept.