By Whaley Shark
May 21 2007

On a typically English early summer evening which started in sunshine and ended in torrential rain, the Whaley Shark and a crowd of just over 6000 welcomed international rugby to Edgeley Park as England Saxons played the US Eagles. Mike Hercus was unfortunately injured so Sale fans were unable to welcome him back properly. Of current players, only Wiggy was there to fly the flag for the home club.

The Saxons actually beat the USA quite comfortably in what turned out to be a one-sided game. Ironically, the USA start brightly, getting a bit of go-forward from a scrum and setting their left winger loose down the touchline. With the Saxons under a bit of pressure, a late tackle on Malifa, the USA 10, gives them an easy penalty kick for a 3-0 lead after 10 minutes. Mind you, my father always used to say “Scores in the first 10 minutes don’t mean anything”, and how right he was. The Saxons reply almost straight away, working the ball down their left at speed and putting Topsy Ojo over in the corner for a converted try.

The game is quite even for the next 15 minutes, with both sides stringing together several phases, though without any real penetration. The Saxons defence is very aggressive and forces some USA errors, but both sides choose to go for the corner with penalties. Eventually the Saxons break the stalemate, kicking a penalty for the corner and driving the maul over. Try for Jordan Crane and 12-3 up. The Americans now build a bit of momentum, helped by some rather sloppy Saxons defence. A USA penalty kick comes back off the post but then they infringe and Saxons can ease the pressure. Finally, from half way, the blindside Dowson breaks free, draws the defence and passes to Armitage for a converted try. The USA aren’t dead yet, though. They are still up for the forward battle and try to beat the Saxons defence with some slick back play and a cross kick. However, the Saxons clear the ball and, under pressure from Ojo, the USA concede a penalty. Saxons go for the left corner, win a scrum and, after several resets, the USA are penalised. Saxons take the scrum again and shunt the unfortunate Americans backwards for a pushover try by Jordan Crane, and go in at half time 24-3 ahead.

Saxons start the second half aggressively, almost getting a cross kick to Ojo, kicking a penalty to the left corner and driving for the line. With the USA lock, Mexted, hurt, the defence can’t hold out and the Quins lock, Evans, scores. The USA still keep going, kicking penalties to the corner, stringing together multiple phases and, on one occasion, almost breaking through. Finally, Saxons win a turnover. Ryan Lamb breaks, then passes the ball right and kick through for Armitage to score. A couple of minutes later, the Saxons kick a penalty to the corner and drive over for Forster to touch down. 39-3 behind and with only about 10 minutes to go, the USA finally start to wilt though they hold out almost until the end. In the sprit of kicking a man hard when he’s down, though, the Saxons win turnover ball, Lamb breaks and feeds Dowson for a try on the left. Finally, Dan Scarbrough breaks from deep in his own half and passes to Lee Dickson for a converted try and a final score of 51-3.

It was an enjoyable evening out, lacking the tension that has been present watching Sale this season. The players seemed more adventurous than in the Premiership, perhaps reflecting the rather one-sided game. Official man of the match was Ryan Lamb, but I’d have gone for a Saxons back row player- all of them were great, especially in a really aggressive defence but, with his two tries, Jordan Crane just shades it for me. So all that remains now is a summer of withdrawal symptoms…