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The Sharks gather momentum after the try but it wasn’t enough to grind another score. Sale give away a penalty on the Connacht 22 and the ref calls it a night after a defensive workout in Athlone.

Sale build some good pressure inside the Connacht half and win a penalty which Curtis kicks to the corner. The hosts struggle to deal with the power of the sharks pack at short range allowing Tommy Taylor to guide a maul over the line.

Connacht overpower the Sharks to score again in the final quarter. After defending a relentless attack in the 22, Sale concede a string of penalties inside their half allowing Eoin de Buitléar to control a maul over the line.

Sale down to fourteen men after Cobus Wiese gets on the wrong side of the referee. The Sharks are up with the pace but are still struggling to get a hold on things.

The hosts have the upper-hand at the break after winning the physical battle in the first half.

Sale making good ground into the Connacht half, but are failing to execute effectively so far. A great pre-season battle at Dubarry Park.

Connacht extend their lead following a frustrating twenty minutes for the Sharks. Back and forth play  allowed both sides to test their mettle up front and the hosts eventually came out on top. 

Connacht broke away on halfway and cut their way through the Sale defence, until the Sharks eventually stopped the attack. The boys were left with too much to do when the hosts shipped wide to allow Josh O’Connor to slide in virtually unopposed.

CONNACHT TRY

The hosts get over early on after a bout of pressure inside the Sharks 22.

After winning a penalty and kicking to the corner, Connacht remain patient and cross the whitewash for five points after Connor Oliver darts in through a gap in the Sale defence.

The conversion is missed but it’s a great start from Connacht who have shown their intent with a high pressure approach in the Sharks 22.

We are underway in Athlone as we face Connacht Rugby in our second pre-season fixture.