Two scores for Thomas helps Sale coast home
SALFORD, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 20: Nye Thomas of Sale during the Premiership Rugby Cup match between Sale Sharks and Leicester Tigers at AJ Bell Stadium on September 20, 2022 in Salford, England. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)
Sale ………………. 47pts
Tries: Thomas 5, 52; Caine 14, 34; Ene 25, Reed 40, Birch 70 Conversions: Curtis 6, 15, 26, 40+1, 53, 71
Bedford …………. 12pts
Tries: Lennon 36, French 61 Conversions: Grimoldby 62
SALE began their Premiership Rugby Cup exploits in fine fashion thanks to a resounding seven-try victory over Bedford.
The game could have been so different had Bedford executed their early opportunities after a fine start from the visitors, with numerous try scoring moments going begging.
But there was only going to be one winner after Sale started to get themselves on the board and they coasted home against their Championship opponents with a cut throat display at AJ Bell Stadium.
Nye Thomas and Ethan Caine both got two as Sale scored three breakaway tries when punishing the mistakes of Mike Rayer's side and consistently keeping the scoreboard ticking away from the visitors.
Blues put up a good fight and had tries from James Lennon and Sean French to show for their efforts, but they were always up against it after Sale's three tries in 20 minutes midway through the first half.
Rouban Birch, Ebi Ene and Arron Reed also got in on the act for Sale who have made a mighty fine start to the campaign after the disappointment of Twickenham last year.
Thomas' second was a really party piece and the standout moment of the match with trickery and skill more suited to the two football stadiums in close proximity; completely bamboozling the onrushing Bedford defenders to reach the line.
For Bedford it was a harsh reality of what might have been, and they will be desperate to eradicate those little errors that against Premiership opponents will always get punished.
Bedford second row, Alex Woolford cut a frustrated figure at full time and said: “We spoke about trying to execute when we got the opportunity, and we didn't pull off anywhere near what we tried to achieve.
“Ultimately it was that which cost us the game. Fair play to Sale, they were the better side and punished us for our mistakes.
“We'll review the game and get over it. The exciting part of this cup is that we get the opportunities to test ourselves against Premiership opponents, it didn't go our way today, but next week could be a different story against Newcastle.”
