Anguish for Chiefs as Sale march on

GEORGE Ford’s educated right boot proved hugely instrumental as Sale subjected rock-bottom Exeter to yet more misery and gloom.

- ROSS HEPPENSTALL

Master craftsman Ford, 31, was outstanding throughout as Alex Sanderson’s Sharks racked up a bonus-point win in filthy conditions of driving wind and rain.

The England fly-half’s intelligent game-management expertly guided them around the rainsoaked field as Luke James and Joe Carpenter scored before the break.

A penalty try and Jonny Hill’s late score ensured a maximum five-point haul to leave Sanderson delighted.

The Sale boss beamed: “George is just a genius and, when the weather is so bad, it’s just about putting the ball back in your opponents’ half.

“It’s about repeat pressure to maul and pickand-go because this was one of those days when you have to do the hard yards.

“George will always take the smarter option – the low-risk, high percentage play, particularly on a night like tonight.

“He was like a strategic rugby god out there. He was fantastic.”