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Chabal scored a try for Sharks

Saracens 24 Sale Sharks 20

Sunday, March 9th 2008

In a 'game of two halves', Sale Sharks suffered a second successive defeat, despite pulling back to four points from a 0-21 deficit. Indeed, the visitors started the stronger, with a third-minute scoring opportunity going begging. Winger Oriol Ripol had a foot in touch with supporting fullback Mark Cueto available to receive the vital pass. Home number ten Glen Jackson opened the scoring with a penalty for offside after 14 minutes, and the 'Men in Black' had an another escape when Sililo Martens charged down a Jackson clearance kick. Inside a 21-minute spell, Sarries had made it 21-0. Number 8 Ben Skirving scored the first try with nineteen minutes played, receiving possession after a mishap for Julien Laharrague and running fully 40 metres through the middle of the Vicarage Road pitch. Further penalties by Jackson on 22 and 32 minutes preceded another unusual home try, Cencus Johnston - a 21 stone prop - stepping past three white Sharks to score in the right corner. Jackson converted. Twenty one points down, and the Sharks' revival began with Sebastien Chabal driving over from close range just before the break, McAlister converting.

McAlister added penalties on 54 and 58 minutes, with Jackson adding Saracens' final score three minutes later. Home fullback Richard Haughton produced a last-ditch tackle to prevent the lively McAlister from scoring a try whilst, at the other end, Scarborough was denied by a forward pass from Penney. With four minutes left, a low, measured grubber kick from the All Black provided Oriol Ripol with his eighth try of the season, the fly half adding the conversion.

After their twenty-one minutes of torment, the Sharks made a highly pleasing collective effort to recover the situation, with McAlister always to the fore.

Scoring (Saracens first): 3-0, 8-0, 11-0, 14-0, 21-0, 21-7 (Half time) 21-10, 21-13, 24-13, 24-20.