PWR: Sale 19 – 29 Exeter – Chiefs maintain undefeated start to season after challenge from Sharks

Today at 04:32 AM

By Elayna Towell

The Chiefs have continued their 100% success rate for the season, defeating the Sharks 19-29 at Heywood Road. However, it was not an easy game for the visitors as Sale tested them throughout the match.

Sale, sitting bottom of the table, were first on the scoreboard and their solid performance continued to the last minute. Their chances were diminished slightly as they were down to 14 women at two points in the game, though.

Appleby's side were soon in the lead, and managed to keep it that way until the end with an amazing display of skill throughout.

The first half kicked off with instant action as the home side managed to pull ahead in the first 10 minutes. Sharks captain, Detysha Harper, was the first to cross the whitewash following a line break and made the stands shake.

Unfortunately for Sale, their lead was stolen as the visitors got the next three tries of the game making the score 7-17.

Only minutes after Sale's try, Mikiela Nelson got her side on the scoreboard following a successful Chiefs lineout. Ebony Jefferies followed her lead, being next to cross the tryline and eventually Sabrina Poulin joined her teammates on the scoreboard.

The Sharks continued to challenge the top-of-the-league team though, and soon closed the gap between them as Vice-Captain Lizzie Duffy grounded the ball after lots of hard work by her side to stay in Exeter's 22. A row of young girls scream out in support for their team as they wave Sale Sharks flags proudly in the air.

Heating up in the final minutes of the first half, Sale's Harper was served a yellow card for and the Chiefs took full advantage, scoring a penalty try in the far-right corner.

Half time score: Sale Sharks 14 – 22 Exeter Chiefs

Starting up again, a woman down, Sale kept a strong side, pushing the Chiefs back into their half. However, they couldn't hold them at bay for long as Exeter's Katie Buchanan scored in the far-left corner after a stream of well-timed passes across the field.

Sale were soon back down to 14 women as Catie Benson was handed a yellow, but fortunately for the home team they had even players on the pitch only five minutes later when Exeter's Flo Robinson was served a yellow for a deliberate knock on.

The battle between the teams continued with no clear domination on the pitch, despite Exeter leading 14-29.

A powerful home side's determination paid off as Holly Thorpe grounded the ball in the left corner following an offload and great display of pace to beat the Exeter defence to the whitewash.

The Chiefs strike back, pushing them right back to their own try line, however Sale managed to hold up the Chief's as they cross the line, preventing another Exeter try in the final few seconds.

Exeter won the game 19-29, keeping their lead in the Premiership Women's Rugby table. Unfortunately for the Sharks, their streak of losses continued, despite their excellent performance throughout the match.

Up next for the Sale Sharks Women is the first ever double header at Salford Community Stadium with both Sale teams playing Leicester Tigers on next Sunday.

SALE SHARKS: 19

TRIES: Harper (8'), Duffy (32'), Thorpe (78')

CONVERSIONS: Duffy (9', 33')

PENALITIES: 0

DROP GOALS: 0

YELLOW CARDS: Harper (40'), Benson (61')

RED CARDS: 0

15. Nikita Prothero 14. Eva Wood 13. Beatrice Rigoni 12. Laura Perrin 11. Holly Thorpe 10. Lizzie Duffy (VC) 9. Sofia Stefan 1. Catie Benson 2. Scarlett Fielding 3. Detysha Harper (C) 4. Trudy Cowan 5. Erica Jarrell 6. Niamh Swailes 7. Alba Capell 8. Jasmine Hazell

Replacements

16. Amber Schubert, 17. Sophie Lewis, 18. Nick James, 19. Iona Antwis, 20, Amelia Hyndman, 21. Robyn Wilkins, 22. Rachel Philipps, 23. Sophie Hopkins

EXTER CHIEFS: 29

TRIES: Nelson (12'), Jefferies (18'), Poulin (25'), penalty try (40'), Buchanan (52')

CONVERSIONS: McGoverne (19', 40')

PENALITIES: 0

DROP GOALS: 0

YELLOW CARDS: F.Robinson (66')

RED CARDS: 0

15. Merryn Doidge 14. Sabrina Poulin 13. Nancy McGillivray 12. Gabby Cantorna 11. Katie Buchanan 10. Liv McGoverne 9. Flo Robinson 1. Mikiela Nelson 2. Clara Nielson 3. Charli Jacoby 4. Poppy Leitch 5. Dorothy Wall 6. Ebony Jefferies 7. Emily Robinson 8. Niamh Orchard

Replacements

 16. Cliodhna Moloney, 17. Demi Swann, 18. Flo Long, 19. Katie Smith, 20. Eilidh Sinclair, 21. Lucy Nye, 22. Taylor Perry, 23. Kanako Kobayashi

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