By Sarah Braide
January 12 2003

Sale not only broke their duck in the Heineken Cup on Friday, but they also turned in a fine, return-to-form performance that should see them move confidently into the next round of Premiership matches. There were tries for Mark Cueto, Steve Hanley, Jason Robinson, Andy Titterrell, Vaughan Going and Charlie Hodgson. Charlie had a superb game and came away with the man of the match accolade but this was really an all round team peformance. We do seem to play that much better with him there to orchestrate events - not that Sale's league placing has suffered due to his absence this season.

Thr score looks similar to last week's tally against Newcastle, but this week Sale dominated the game much more, winning more ball and retaining it better. Last week we relied on scoring quick tries with scraps of possession; this week the forwards dominated more and the defence was pressurised a little less.

Glasgow actually went ahead soon after kick off with a Tommy Hayes penalty but mid-way through the first half Sale stamped their authority on the game with two tries in quick succession - first Mark Cueto broke free and ran in from the 22, then Charlie Hodgson sent Steve Hanley over in the corner. Both tries were converted and a further penalty a bit later took the score to 17-3.

That was the way things stayed until after half time when Jason Robinson scored a typical try near the posts, dodging his way to the line from midfield. Charlie converted that one and the next effort from Andy Titterell in the 50th minute.

Vaughan Going, on for Steve Hanley, got the fifth try and Charlie made it seven points. Charlie then wrapped up his virtuoso performance by selling a dummy that allowed him to get over the line for Sale's sixth and final try. The conversion completed a perfect day with the boot.

Jim was understandably pleased with his number 10:

"It didn't surprise me that Charlie played the way he did tonight - even considering his recent injury setback.

"He is a class player. The way he controlled the game was excellent - his decision-making was superb."

And he was chuffed with the display in general, saying:

"It was one of our best performances of the season. Our defence was fantastic and we've got players who can take half-chances and we took our opportunities tonight."

So we can win in Europe! Llanelli won their game against Bourgoin so it looks increasingly likely that they will the ones to progress to the next round of the Cup.

Sale team: Jason Robinson, Mark Cueto, Mel Deane, Graeme Bond (Jos Baxendell, 54), Steve Hanley (Vauighan Going, 69), Charlie Hodgson, Bryan Redpath (capt) (Nick Walshe, 54), Jim Thorp (Barry Stewart, 76), Andy Titterrell (Charl Marais, 59), Barry Stewart (Stuart Turner, 50), Iain Fullarton, Dean Schofield, Pete Anglesea (Chris Jones, 54), Alex Sanderson, Richard Wilks (Apollo Perelini, 67).

Glasgow team: Glenn Metcalfe (Roland Reid, 52), Jon Steel, Alan Bulloch, Andy Henderson (Calvin Howarth, 78), Stuart Moffat, Tommy Hayes, Graeme Beveridge (Andy Nichol, 58), Dave Hilton, Gordon Bulloch (capt) (Fergus Thomson, 74), Lee Harrison (Cam Blades, 52), Andy Hall, Jason White (Nathan Ross, 68), Andrew Wilson, John Petrie (Gordon Simpson, 58), Donnie McFadyen.