Rugby Union: Hodgson puts boot into Worcester

WORCESTER 13

SALE 25

A late try from the winger Mark Cueto put a gloss on Sale's victory over a spirited Worcester side at Sixways last night. The England fly-half Charlie Hodgson contributed 10 points with the boot.

Worcester, despite giving Sale plenty to think about in the second half, remain rooted at the bottom of the Premiership without a win this season.

Pat Sanderson's team found themselves up against it from the start. There was a knock-on, followed by a mistake at a lineout, then there was an error at a ruck and Charlie Hodgson banged over a penalty. Sale's quick running and polished handling extended Worcester to breaking point. Hodgson would have added to the total but his penalty slid wide.

At the next opportunity Hodgson slipped the ball between two defenders for Chris Bell to touch down, though the England outside half missed with the conversion. Shane Drahm hammered home a penalty when Worcester next made it into Sale territory.

Cueto then set up a ruck, the ball was moved to the right for Juan-Martin Lobbe to feed Jason White who crossed. Hodgson converted and Worcester were 15-3 down after 26 minutes.

The Worcester pack raised themselves and there were good bursts from both their front and back rows. Phil Murphy and Craig Gillies were constructive at the lineout but somehow Sale clung on. They matched their back row and there was no way to breach the visitors' defence, so Worcester's deficit rested at 12 points at the break.

A brilliant cross kick by Hodgson kept Sale in Worcester territory but the home side picked themselves up with a brave onslaught and a try in the right corner from Aisea Havili. Drahm converted and Worcester were within five points. It was to get better. Sale's Chris Jones was shown a yellow card and Worcester, with Drahm slotting a penalty were now only two points in arrears. Hodgson took it back to five with apenalty and brave Worcester could not fight back.

Worcester: Tries Havili' Con Drahm' Pens Drahm (2). Sale: Tries Bel, White, Cueto'Cons Hodgson (2)' Pen Hodgson (2)

Worcester: Best (Delport, 18)' Havili, Rasmussen, Lombard, Garvey' Drahm, Powell' Morris (Fortey, 67), Hortey, Taumoepeau, Gillies, Murphy, Sanderson (capt), Harding, Hickey (Horstmann, 63)

Sale: J Robinson (capt)' M Cueto, M Taylor, C Bell, B Foden' C Hodgson, S Martens (Wigglesworth, 67)' A Sheridan, S Bruno, B Stewart (Turner, 57), C Jones, C Day, J White, M Lund (Tait, 62), J- M Lobbe

Referee: M Fox (Leicestershire)

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