A late drop goal from out-half Charlie Hodgson gave Sale a shock
23-22 win over Leinster in a thrilling encounter at Lansdowne Road.
A late drop goal from out-half Charlie Hodgson gave Sale a shock
23-22 win over Leinster in a thrilling encounter at Lansdowne Road.
In the final minute of the game, the England star made no mistake from just
outside the 22.
Hodgson had kicked a penalty to give Sale an early lead in the game, but on
eight minutes, Leinster scored a super try. Brilliant running on the left from
Gordon D’Arcy, Brian O’Driscoll and John McWeeney eventually allowed Reggie
Corrigan to power over.
O’Driscoll was forced off with a hamstring strain 20 minutes into the game,
as David Quinlan was introduced. Immediately after, a fine line out saw Sale
go all the way across field for Jason White to score, before Hodgson converted.
O’Meara kicked a difficult penalty five minutes later to make it 10-10, before
D’Arcy put Leinster ahead with a drop goal.
After Hodgson had kicked Sale level again, they deservedly went ahead when
backs and forwards combined for Chris Jones to score in the corner. Hodgson
converted, but then missed a superb chance for another try after charging down
a Matt Leek clearance.
Leinster began motoring in the third quarter and after O’Meara had kicked a
penalty, he kicked a drop goal to bring his side to within a single point.
The hosts finally went ahead when the scrum-half kicked through the posts with
seven minutes remaining, but Hodgson’s crucial kick put Sale in command again.
Leinster pushed late on, and even managed to cross the Sale line, but the try
was disallowed and a late missed drop goal attempt from Matt Leek proved to
be Leinster’s last chance of the game.
Full Details at: www.leinsterrugby.ie
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