Sale beat Exeter 38-24 to stay top of Pool A
Sale Sharks beat Exeter Chiefs 38-24 in the Prem Rugby Cup, and the win pushed them further ahead at the top of Pool A. The game was played at Corpacq Stadium, and BBC Sport reported that it was a result that carried a bonus point for Sale.
The Prem Rugby Cup is a pool competition, so teams are grouped and play each other in a mini-league. Points go towards a place in the knockout stage. Clubs also win a bonus point for scoring four or more tries, even in defeat, so a team can collect extra league points without winning.
Sale led 14-12 at half-time, and the second half was where the game opened up. Alex Wills, Rekeiti Ma'asi-White, Alfie Longstaff and Nathan Jibulu, who scored twice, all crossed for Sale. A penalty try was also awarded, which is what referees give when a foul stops a try that would probably otherwise have been scored. Sam Davies kicked three conversions, the extra kicks that add two points after a try.
Ma'asi-White's try came in his 50th appearance for Sale, a landmark for the winger. He crossed the line in front of the home supporters and was among the players who carried Sale's attack.
Exeter did not go quietly. Charlie Poynton, Ben Coen, Archie McArthur and Sam Wolstenholme all scored tries, and Coen kicked two conversions. Their four tries earned them a bonus point of their own, which lifted them off the bottom of Pool A.
For Sale, the result keeps them clear at the top of the group. For Exeter, the bonus point is a useful gain, even though they lost the game. Both teams now have more matches to play in the pool, and every point will count when the table is finally settled.
Pool A is still a work in progress, and there is plenty of rugby left before the knockout places are decided. For now, Sale have the lead, and Exeter have a point to build on.
