CHRISTIAN Wade equalled the Prem’s all-time try-scoring record as Newcastle Red Bulls took the northern bragging rights to secure their first league victory of the season.
Newcastle Red Bulls …..17pts
Tries: Wade 49, McGuigan 62 Conversions: Hodge 50, 63 Penalty: Hodge 60
Sale Sharks ……………………3pts
Penalty: Ford 25
The one-cap England winger crossed for his 101st Premiership try nine minutes into the second half, drawing level with Chris Ashton and providing the defining moment of a rain-soaked northern derby.
George McGuigan added a second try from a driving maul, while Josh Hodge kicked nine points as Dan McFarland’s side ended their winless start to the campaign.
The result was just Newcastle’s fifth Prem victory across four seasons and came against a Sale side who had been unbeaten in their previous two league outings.
Wade said: “I sometimes feel the record is more important to other people than it is to me. I am someone who is going to score tries. That’s what I do. That’s what I love to do. But that is the result of the team performing well and us having great cohesion.
“My main focus is being in that system and executing what we’re trying to do. The better we can do, the more tries I’m going to score as a result.”
Driving rain and strong winds made expansive rugby difficult, with both teams relying heavily on their kicking games throughout a scrappy opening period.
Newcastle started brightly, earning four penalties inside Sale’s 22, ties to kick at goal, but Newcastle survived a succession of five-metre scrums to remain within three points at the interval.
The contest came alive nine minutes after the restart when Newcastle elected to kick a penalty towards the corner rather than attempt a long-range shot at goal. Following sustained forward pressure, the hosts moved possession across the field to Wade, who finished in the right corner.
Hodge converted superbly into the wind for 7-3 before Newcastle tered the first points after 19 minutes, slotting a straightforward penalty.
Sale subsequently enjoyed their own spell of pressure, having a potential try ruled out after being held up over the line.
The visitors also turned down opportunibut the visitors’ defence held firm.
Max Hicks went close to an opening try with a powerful burst through the middle of a ruck, only for Sale’s scrambling defenders to thwart him.
Instead, England flyhalf George Ford regisdemonstrated their growing confidence by stealing a Sale lineout close to their own line.
The full-back then extended the lead with a penalty after the visitors were penalised for entering a ruck from the side.
With the momentum firmly behind Newcastle, Will Rigg’s grubber kick helped force another penalty, allowing Brett Connon to establish an attacking lineout deep inside Sale territory. The Red Bulls’ forwards took control, driving towards the line before hooker McGuigan grounded the ball at the back of a powerful rolling maul.
Hodge added another impressive conversion despite the fierce crosswind, stretching the advantage to 17-3.
Sale continued searching for a response, with Ford’s late cross-field kick narrowly evading Tom Roebuck, but Newcastle’s defence refused to yield.
Wade was unable to claim the outright record, despite Newcastle threatening again late on, but his historic score crowned a memorable evening for the Red Bulls.
CLOSE-UP
CHRIS HARRIS Newcastle centre V JOE MARCHANT Sale centre
Harris edged a fiercely contested defensive battle as Newcastle frustrated Sale on a blustery night. He marshalled Newcastle’s aggressive defensive line superbly, shutting down space out wide and helping keep Sale scoreless after half-time. Marchant was equally committed defensively, contributing to Sale’s impressive first-half resistance, but struggled to influence proceedings in attack as Harris repeatedly denied him space and time on the ball.
Latest News
Resurgent Tigers cut loose to slay Saints
Latest News
England get set for World Cup blast off
Latest News
WRU in financial crisis as losses hit £18.2m
The best betting sites
