Sale have the power to cut down Tigers

SALE’S big men squeezed their way to victory aided by a fine try from fly half Rob du Preez who whizzed through the Leicester defence 10 minutes from time

- ROB WILDMAN

This Sale success built on last week’s win over Northampton and backed up the last season’s Premiership semi-final triumph over Tigers.

Overall, Sale had the better share of possession and in No 10 du Preez had the match’s most influential player.

Besides his 70th minute try, coming off a lineout move on Leicester’s 22, he was always a threat and also converted Sale’s three tries and a penalty.

Leicester could not build on a good start and needed more than an aerial bombardment and a 59th-minute try from wing Ollie Hassell-Collins which levelled the scores at 17-17.

Hassell-Collins managed to slip two Sale defenders to raise the hopes of a home victory only for du Preez to deliver the killer blow 10 minutes later.