European Shield: Late surge for Connacht fails to seal win

Connacht 30

Sale Sharks 33

A brave comeback by a seriously understrength Connacht side just came up short in this entertaining Parker Pen Shield encounter at the Sportsground in Galway today.

Connacht, on an unprecedented five match winning run, seemed destined for a heavy defeat when Sale, second in the Zurich Premiership, opened up a 28-17 lead going into the final quarter.

However two penalties from Mark McHugh hauled them back but they were dealt a fatal blow when sale replacement hooker Andy Titterrall crossed for their fourth try three minutes from time.

Pat Duignan kept the issue alive with a try in stoppage time but Sale held on for their third win in the competition.

Connacht had opened superbly with tries from Dan McFarland and Tim Allnutt giving them a 14-5 lead after fourteen minutes.

However Sale, led by impressive fly-half Charlie Hodgson, hit back and they led 18-17 at the break thanks to tries from former Connacht hooker Bernard Jackman and Richard Wilks.

Hodgson kicked penalties either side of the break and flanker Peter Anglesea crowned his reprieve from a twelve months suspension with a critical try after 57 minutes.

But that was the signal for Connacht to hit back and their late flourish will give them renewed hope for the return match in Heywood Road next Saturday..

Scorers:

Connacht: M. McHugh, two pens, one con; E. Elwood, one pen, two cons; D. McFarland, try; T. Allnutt, try; P. Duignan, try.

Sale Sharks: C. Hodgson, three pens, two cons; B. Jackman, try; R. Wilks, try; P. Anglesea, try; A. Titterrrall, try.

Connacht: G. Duffy; P. Duignan, D. Yapp, T. Allnutt, W. Munn; E. Elwood, E. Reddan; D. McFarland, T. Kearns, P. Bracken; D. Browne, R. Frost; J. Charlie, C. Rigney, P. Neville.

Replacements: M. McHugh for Elwood, 55 mins; R. McCormack for Bracken, 65 mins; H. Bourke for Kearns, 65 mins; A. Maher for Browne, 65 mins; M. McPhail for Yapp, 74 mins.

Sale Sharks: V. Going; M. Cueto, M. Shaw, M. Deane, S. Hanley; C. Hodgson, A. Dickens; K. Yates, B. Jackman, A. Black; I. Fullarton, S. Lines; P. Anglesea, S. Pinkerton, R Wilks.

Replacements: A. Elliott for Hanley, inj. 49 mins; A. Sanderson for Wilks, 58 mins; S. Turner for Yates, 64 mins; A. Titterrall for Jackman, 64 mins; M. Giacheri for Lines, 69 mins; J. Bramhall for Dickens, 78 mins; S. Davidson for Going, 80 mins.

Referee: M. Salera (Italy).