Sale Sharks made light of Storm Claudia to secure a bonus point win over Exeter Chiefs and get their Prem Rugby Cup campaign back on track.
A young Sharks side lost by a single point to Gloucester in the last pool game, but with some more established names back in action, they had too much for the Chiefs in torrential rain and driving wind.
Five tries, including two to celebrate his new contract from Sam Dugdale, saw Warren Spragg’s side over the line and the Sharks coach will have been pleased with how his side tried to play despite the conditions.
The Sharks fans who attended the game were treated to free drinks on Simon and Michelle Orange to say thank you for braving the weather.
A low key first half saw Exeter, who were playing with the advantage of the wind, take the lead with a Ben Coen penalty on 25 minutes.
Sharks hit back with a penalty of their own thanks to Rob du Preez and then with half-time looming, they scored the first try of the game when Dugdale, who has signed a new deal until 2028, powered over from the back of a maul.
With the wind making kicking nigh on impossible, Rob du Preez was off target with his conversion but Sharks headed into the break with an 8-3 lead.
The second half was a different story, as Sharks came out determined to keep the ball in hand.
With just two minutes gone in the second period the homer side extended their lead as Tom Burrow claimed a lineout and fed Dugdale who powered over for his second. Du Preez slotted the conversion with the help of Gus Warr to give the home side a 15-3 lead.
Ten minutes later Ethan Caine got in on the action as he capitalised on a powerful maul to shove his way over and five minutes later the bonus point was secured when a lineout went astray and Tadgh McElroy pounced on the loose ball to touch down in the corner, much to the delight of his teammates.
As the clock ticked past the hour mark, some running rugby broke out as the Sharks backs combined to devastating effect. The ball was moved through the hands to Tom Curtis who kicked through for Tom O’Flaherty to touch down in the corner.
The impressive du Preez missed the conversion but the job was done. Now attentions turn to a trip to Bath next week, before the return of the Gallagher Prem – and a rematch against the Chiefs – in two weeks’ time. You can grab your tickets to that one here.
