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The Sharks are eager for a fierce battle against Wasps this Friday

Sale Sharks v. Wasps – The History

Tuesday, March 16th 2010

This Friday’s clash against Wasps is probably the most anticipated kick-off of the Sharks’ season, especially since more than 8,500 Sharks’ fans were left standing in disbelief when the game against Wasps got called off minutes before kick-off last November.

Tickets for the match are still on sale and can be purchased by Online Now or by ringing the Sale Sharks ticket office on 08444 994 994.

For those supporters who didn’t make the trip to Edgeley Park that night, Wasps arrived at Edgeley Park and with less than an hour to kick-off, and after a brief pitch inspection the Wasps coaching staff expressed the view that the pitch conditions were unsafe. Match referee David Rose did not agree with the Wasps assessment of the pitch and he confirmed that he was satisfied that the match could start. However, a break-down in procedure meant that the game did get called off, although Wasps maintain that at no point did they refuse to play.

The circumstances in which this game got called off resulted in massive media coverage, with all commentators expressing disbelief that the game was not played and also commenting on the strange sight of Wasps players being seen on their coach eating pizzas, even before the official announcement had been made that the match had been cancelled (the so called ‘Pizza Gate’ affair).

Thousands of Sharks’ and a couple of hundred Wasps fans who had made the journey left Edgeley Park very disappointed and unhappy that the match did not go ahead.

The Sharks’ players and coaches too, could not believe what had happened. “I told the players to remember the feeling and put it in their pocket for when they come back.” Said Sharks’ Director of Rugby Kingsley Jones in relation to the players feeling on the night. “The coaches, the players, we were all very – disappointed. I guess that’s the nicest way of putting it. I expect the supporters who made the journey out last time have put it in their pocket too. I hope they come out on Friday night with an extra edge to prove a point to Wasps.”

Wasps were subsequently called in front of a Premier Rugby Panel in relation to alleged breaches of Guinness Premiership regulations in failing to fulfil the fixture. The Panel concluded that the pitch was fit to play the fixture based on the evidence of the referee. However, the allegations were dismissed by the Panel on the basis that the match referee did not clearly state to Wasps his decision that the fixture should be played.

After months waiting for a suitable date, the match is now set to be replayed this Friday 19th March at Edgeley Park. Kick-off 7.45PM.

Added to the drama is Sharks’ current league position which sees the club at the bottom of the Guinness Premiership table, but with a game in hand. Friday’s match against Wasps represents that game in hand. Sale Sharks absolutely must win in order to move up off the bottom of the league table and continue the fight to ensure that we have Guinness Premiership rugby in the North West next season.

A large and boisterous Edgeley Park crowd is expected on Friday, both to remember the disappointment of last November’s cancelled game, but also to inspire the Sharks to earn a much needed Premiership victory. This is truly going to be one of the important big games in the history of Sale Sharks.

Tickets for the match are still on sale and can be purchased by Online Now or by ringing the Sale Sharks ticket office on 08444 994 994.