Match Centre: Gallagher Premiership: Sale Sharks 43-10 Newcastle Falcons

Sale Sharks 43-10 Newcastle Falcons, Salford Community Stadium

Sale Sharks secured a commanding 43-10 victory over Newcastle Falcons on Friday night in the opening game of the Gallagher Premiership’s Derby Weekend.

The Falcons were outplayed, trailing 28-3 at halftime, as Sale dominated from the start at Salford.

The Sharks took the lead just four minutes in when Arron Reed crossed the line, finishing a well-executed cross-field kick by Rob du Preez. The fly-half then added a touchline conversion to extend the lead. Despite Newcastle’s efforts to gain ground, they could only manage a 25-metre penalty from Ethan Grayson in the 14th minute after Sale conceded for coming in from the side at a ruck.

Sale continued to pile on the pressure, with Reed scoring his second try of the match at the 21-minute mark. A loose ball was picked up by full-back Joe Carpenter, who set up Reed down the left. Du Preez’s accurate conversion widened the gap.

The Falcons found themselves further behind when a collapsed maul led to a penalty try, and captain Callum Chick was sin-binned for his role in the incident. Sale earned a crucial bonus point just before halftime when Will Addison charged through the Newcastle defense to score the fourth try, bringing the score to 28-3.

Although Newcastle started the second half with renewed energy, Sale struck again within minutes, with Tom Roebuck diving in at the right corner following a series of offloads. Du Preez added the conversion, extending Sale's lead. Chick responded with a try for Newcastle after a strong run from Cameron Hutchison, with Grayson adding the extras to bring the score to 35-10.

Sale’s discipline and tactical kicking, including a 30-metre penalty from Du Preez, helped manage the clock and keep Newcastle from mounting any serious comeback. Roebuck sealed the victory with his second try late in the game, expertly gathering a cross-field kick to touch down in the right corner.

The Sharks’ dominant performance ensured a strong start to the Derby Weekend, leaving Newcastle Falcons with much to improve upon ahead of their next Premiership clash.

Team line up:

Sale: Carpenter; Roebuck, Addison, Bedlow, Reed; R du Preez, Warr; McIntyre, Cowan-Dickie, Harper, Bamber, Andrews, Van Rhyn, B Curry, T Curry.

Reserves: Caine, Onasanya, Opoku-Fordjour, Beaumont, D du Preez, Thomas, Curtis, Dugdale.

Newcastle: Obatoyinbo; Radwan, Spencer, Hutchison, Stevenson; Grayson, Stuart; Brocklebank, Blamire, Palframan, Rubiolo, Hawkins, Van der Walt, Gordon, Chick.

Reserves: Fletcher, Du Bruin, McCallum, Lockwood, Scott, Davis, Metcalf, Brown.