Leicester Tigers were beaten 26-10 by Sale Sharks in Round 18 of the Gallagher Premiership season on Friday evening.
Victory for the home side was built on their first half when a try from Byron McGuigan and 11 points from fly-half AJ MacGinty provided a 16-point lead before Zack Henry put Tigers on the scoreboard with a penalty shortly before half-time.
Tigers, though, enjoyed more ball and territory in the second 40 minutes, claiming a penalty try and seeing two Sharks defenders sin-binned before a Marland Yarde try pushed Sale out of reach.
Victory at the AJ Bell Stadium allowed Sharks to leapfrog defending champions Exeter Chiefs into second place in the table overnight and stretch their winning run in the tournament to five games.
In the 100th meeting of the teams, Ben Youngs led the Tigers out on a bright spring evening in the North-West, with Johnny McPhillips, Dan Kelly and Zack Henry also recalled to the backline, Tomás Lavanini and Cyle Brink added to the forwards.
After Sharks got the game started, Henry was quickly called into action at full-back, wrapping up ball on the right touchline. Moments later, when he was penalised on the floor, the home side went to the right-hand corner but Cameron Henderson managed to rip ball in Tigers’ direction.
The early pattern was set with Tigers kicking clear to relieve pressure but then having to set in defence as Sale ran it back.
Johnny McPhillips was unlucky when he ripped possession from Tom Curry in front of his own posts, only for a colleague to be penalised at the breakdown and MacGinty put over the kick to give Sale the lead with seven minutes gone.
A penalty at the restart gave Sharks a chance to get forward again and, although Henry intercepted a popped pass in front of his own posts, Sale reclaimed possession and MacGinty had time to float a long pass out to the left for McGuigan to score. The conversion provided a 10-point lead on 13 minutes.
A penalty finally gave Tigers some territory and they almost made the most of it with Dan Kelly and Matias Moroni combining to find Kobus van Wyk on the right touchline. The wing, though, ran out of space as the Sharks defence took him into touch.
When Sharks hassled Tigers into an error 60 metres further upfield, another penalty gave MacGinty the chance to extend the lead and he quickly added another to make it 16-0 on 25 minutes.
Kini Murimurivalu was called into defensive action to win a penalty over the ball before Akker van der Merwe was whistled twice at the other end of the field and Henry kicked from the tee to put Tigers on the scoreboard just five minutes short of half-time.
The Tigers full-back was quickly back on the ball in defence, claiming the restart kick to allow McPhillips to boot clear, and Tigers also enjoyed some promising possession in attack with Liebenberg twice involved on the right and Murimurivalu carrying on the opposite flank.
But Sharks also reacted quickly to turnover ball and the half ended with Van Wyk racing across from the right wing to win a race for ball behind his own tryline with Sharks still 16-3 in front.
The second period started with Curry putting McGuigan free on the right wing but Kelly chased him down and then Tigers reacted to win turnover ball. But an offside decision cost another three points as MacGinty knocked over his fourth penalty.
Carries from Kelly and Martin gave Tigers some go-forward and then Youngs combined with Liebenberg before Sharks were penalised in sight of their own line.
The clock had passed 47 minutes as Tigers opted for a scrum – the first of the evening – and after playing three separate advantages from the set-piece, Kelly found Murimurivalu on the left touchline and the Fijian thought he’d made his way to the line only to be denied what would have been an impressive score as TMO and referee determined a double movement.
But Tigers stayed within range of the line, pressuring Sharks until flanker Jean-Luc du Preez was yellow-carded in defence. Jasper Wiese came off the bench to carry at the next set-piece as play continued within five metres of the tryline and continued to build penalty advantage.
This time, when Henry prodded a kick looking for Murimurivalu on the left, Luke James was adjudged to have deliberately knocked-on in front of him and referee Foley awarded a penalty try and sin-binned the Sharks full-back with the score at 19-10.
Sharks, even with 13 men, looked to attack the Tigers line from the restart with Yarde almost finding as way through, but when they came back towards the posts, Wiese made a telling tackle and Lavanini won a priceless penalty over the ball.
Wiese showed his power as ball-carrier before fellow replacement Freddie Steward made a 50-metre break up the middle of the field. After involving Moroni and Lavanini near halfway, Murimurivalu kicked ahead and Henry arrived to take down MacGinty as he mopped up less than 10 metres from his own line.
Jack Van Poortvliet joined the action and Lavanini carried again before Liebenberg found space wide on the left, only for the No8 to unluckily lose his footing with the Sharks defence scrambling back.
Tigers, though, had to also dig in back in defence until a handling error finally brought a stoppage.
Van Poortvliet then won a chase back to field MacGinty’s kick into the corner, but Sharks remained on the attack and Tom Curry carried towards the line before quick ball found Yarde in space to reach out and score in the left-hand corner.
The touchline conversion from MacGinty pushed the score out to 26-10 with 10 minutes left to play.
It had been a frantic period of play for both teams and there was no let-up in tempo as Tigers pushed for another score, using a maul on the right to provide ball for Kelly and Steward to run on the left.
A penalty, though, kept play at that end with Tigers keeping ball through numerous phases before seeing ball squirt untidily out of a ruck as the Sale defence soaked up the pressure.
Will Hurd and Nic Dolly both came off the bench for their Premiership debuts, while David Williams made a seasonal debut on the wing in the closing stages, and it was his break which provided a final chance as Kelly managed to find a gap in midfield, only to be chased down midway into the Sharks half.
Commentary
FULL-TIME | SHARKS 26-10 TIGERS
Sale get the win after an exhausting second half as both teams giving everything. A penalty try in the second half gave Tigers hope, but the Sharks come away with the victory.
80
LAST CHANCE FOR TIGERS
Steward and kelly come away as we hit the 80 minute mark. Liebenberg and Whitcomne and the kick doesn't find touch.
Liebenberg runs to keep things in play. The kick attempt is too far and Marland Yarde lets the ball go out of play.
79
SCRUM TIME
Both teams reset with the scrum, as Van Poortvliet feeds Jasper Wiese comes away following the final reset and a chance to attack for Tigers.
It's held up by Sale and now Tigers defending.
TIGERS REPLACEMENT
Nic Dolly comes on for Charlie Clare at hooker.
77
BREAK FROM MURIMURIVALU
The Fijian almost breaks free of the Sale defence as he runs the hard line on the outside. Ball is back in Sale hands however, and Faf De Klerk finds touch to halt the Leicester attack.
Tigers loose out from the restart as Moroni almost makes the yards, as Sale once again kick clear. Both teams getting a little scrappy in the games closing moments.
75
TIGERS MAUL ATTACKS
Zack Henry finds touch and the Tigers pack maul forward from the line-out. The ball still alive, but finally goes down.
JVP finds Will Hurd, George Martin receives it, and the cavalry join. Ball is loose and it's won by Ewan Ashman and the chance filters out for Tigers.
73
PHASE PLAY FOR TIGERS
The Tigers maul doing what it does best and gaining the yards for Tigers. JVP waits for time, and finally gets it from the base. Williams involved as the Tigers midfield link up. And the penalty goes Tigers way again.
71
TIGERS GOING FOR FINAL 10
Both teams exchange kicks from the restart. Sale slow things down with ball in hand. Dan Kelly on the end of a chip from Henry as Tiger see possession. A few more phases and the earlier penalty comes Tigers way.
TIGERS REPLACEMENT
Calum Green comes on for Tomas Lavanini in the second row.
SALE CONVERSION
AJ MacGinty with the attempt from out wide as he makes it six from six kicks this evening.
SALE TRY
Yarde scores right in the corner for the home side as Sale take the momentum back in the game.
67
SALE PRESSURE
Sale come forward from the restart as they reduce the man advantage. The TMO sees spots the Tiger hand get to the ball first in the Sale attack and a chance to clear.
Sale coming forward and Luke and Sam James combine with Marland Yarde. Sale onto the Tigers five metre line. Tom Curry stretching for the posts, and it's found Marland Yarde out wide who touches down.
TIGERS REPLACEMENTS
Will Hurd, David Williams and James Whitcombe come on for Tigers
64
TIGERS QUICK TAP
Moroni and Murimurivalu try something quick to catch the home side out and AJ MacGinty is on hand to save Sale holding up the Fijian.
63
TIGERS ON FIVE METRE LINE
Sale not giving up this chase as Henry is caught deep in his own half. Tigers have to kick clear through JVP, but it's still with the home side.
The Sale phases build and two Tigers come together. JVP kicks again from the base of the breakdown. Sale still coming forward, but the penalty is given away.
60
ON THE HOUR MARK
Sale come away from the scrum, Faf De Klerk kicks clear as they try to tick the seconds off the clock for their sin-binned teammates.
Jasper Wiese comes forward and Van Wyk tries a run out wide, Sale can clear their lines and Henry caught in trouble.
TIGERS REPLACEMENT
jack Van Poortvliet comes on at scrum-half for Ben Youngs.
59
TIGERS BACK WITH THE BALL
Play resumes after a quick check from the medics for both teams. Clare with the line-out, Liebenberg gets his hands onto it and a chance for Tigers to move through the phases.
Liebenberg finally held up and the penalty is awarded to the home side.
58
TIGERS UP PACE
Tigers get the ball-in-hand at the back and look to play their way out of their own half. Zack Henry finally kicks and Freddie Steward runs a massive 40 metres forward as both teams putting pressure on the receivers.
Murimurivalu and Lavanini join in, but it's turned over and Faf De Klerk finally kicks clear as both teams catch their breath.
56
MAN-MENTUM IN TIGERS FAVOUR
The two-man advantage swings momentum back in Tigers favour. Marland Yarde joins the Sale Sharks scrum in the absence of his teammates.
De Klerk comes away and gets Sale moving. The Short ball favoured by the scrum-half and Marland Yarde breaks the Tigers line, but is held up before he can offload.
Penalty won by Leicester.
SALE YELLOW
Luke James is shown the yellow card for his role in the penalty try for Tigers.
KEY TMO DECISIONS GO TIGERS WAY
A penalty try awarded for Tigers as the pressure finally sees the Sale defence crumble. Luke James also shown the yellow with the two-man advantage now.
53
TIGERS INCHING FORWARDS
The Tigers pack so close to the Sale line with the presence of Jasper Wiese helping the cause.
The penalty will go Tigers way, and Zack Henry attempts the switch in kick and it's just over Murimurivalu. TMO looking for Sale's Luke James for a deliberate knock on.
TIGERS REPLACEMENTS
Brink and McPhillips make way for Jasper Wiese and Freddie Steward. Zack Henry moves to fly-half.
YELLOW CARD FOR SALE
Jean-Luc du Preez is shown the yellow as Sale penalised for repetitive offences.
51
ANOTHER SCRUM FOR TIGERS
Liebenberg collects from the base, and Lavanini with the chance to drive. Henderson on hand. Now Cyle Brink lines up.
Tigers inching forwards and win the penalty, and Jean-Luc du Preez will spend some time in the sin bin.
50
NO TRY FOR TIGERS
Murimurivalu almost gets Tigers first try, but the TMO spots a second movement right in the corner. We'll go back for the original penalty before Ben Youngs earlier dash for the line...
49
SCRUM FOR TIGERS
Huge scrum for both sides with the momentum of the game still hanging. Ben Youngs feeds in after another reset.
Ben Youngs almost too quick for everyone, as he tries the tap and go. Liebenberg edges forward. Dan Kelly loops it over for Murimurivalu and it looks like he has reached over for the finish!
48
TIGERS BREECH SALE FIVE METRE
Liebenberg knocks it back for Youngs, and Murimurivalu and Lavanini with late run.s Goerge Martin attacks and Liebenberg breeches the five metre line.
Martin involved again and Tigers force the penalty deep in the Sale half. Tigers get ready for the game's first scrum!
46
QUICKER FROM TIGERS
Henry with the restart and can collect the high ball from the return fire. Youngs and McPhillips link up to find Dan Kelly. Hard work and the ball is out Henry, McPhillips and Youngs exchanging possesion.
Tigers linking up quicker now, and force the attacking line-out from a sliced kick from Sale's backline.
EARLY POINTS FOR SALE
Sale extend their lead early in the second half with a kick from AJ MacGinty from an angled attempt in front of the posts.
42
SALE PRESSURE
Sale box-kick clear and Ben Youngs gets Tigers moving on the response. McPhillips tries the high ball, and Sale come forward.
Byron McGuigan almost wriggles free of Kobus Van Wyk, and work hard under their own posts sees the ball back in their favour. Henry with the kick clear, but Sale come back at Tigers.
MacGinty gets his hands on a De Klerk chip and Tigers on the back foot as the Sale heavies come forward, but we'll go back for the Sale penalty earlier at the breakdown.
40
TIGERS COMEBACK REQUIRED
It's another second-half comeback required for Tigers to secure the win on the road to Sale Sharks. Zack Henry kicks things off.
HALF-TIME | SHARKS 16-3 TIGERS
A busy first 45 for Tigers seeing the majority of the play in their own half, but finishing strong in the closing minutes. Zack Henry with the visitors only points so far.
39
TIGERS ON TOP
Clare throws from the touchline, the Tigers maul comes forward. Ben Youngs comes away and Zack Henry dances forward gaining territory for Tigers.
George Martin and Cameron Henderon involved now, Liebenberg receives out wide again. But ben Youngs misplaces the pass to Moroni, but much better from Tigers on the attack.
38
BALL-IN-HAND FOR TIGERS
Faf De Klerk and AJ MacGinty with some loose passes and Murimurivalu comes away with the ball. Henry joins the backline and Matias Moroni comes forward.
Brink gets involved and Henry finds Liebenberg out wide, and drives Yarde off the pitch after the chip attempt.
36
FIVE MINUTES LEFT OF HALF
Just under five minutes left as Tigers looking to end the half on top.
McPhillips kicks the advantage and the du Preez's brother can't link up on the return. Line-out for Tigers.
HENRY PENALTY FOR TIGERS
Zack Henry gets Tigers off the mark at the AJ Bell with a simple kick from a central position following hard work from the line-out. Sharks 16-3 Tigers.
34
TIGERS SET-PIECE REWARDED
Liebenberg collects from the line-out and form the maul. It's held up and ben Youngs finds Murimurivalu, before Henderson comes for Tigers.
Lavanini joins in and the hard work is rewarded with e penalty right in front of the posts and Zack Henry will have an attempt at goal.
33
POSSESION FOR TIGERS
Tigers put together a few phases of their own, before the home side regain possesion. But Tigers win the penalty at the breakdown in the Sale half. McPhillips to the corner and the first set-piece on the Shark's five metre for Tigers.
31
MURIMURIVALYU ON HAND TO DEFEND
The line-out releases the phase play as the ball moves from left to right and back to the left flank as Tigers scramble to defend.
Tom Curry almost gets hard line, but Tigers defend well through Murimurivalu and wins the penalty for the away side.
29
HALF HOUR MARK
Josh Beaumont wins the uncontested ball from the kick-off. The maul gets in behind him and De Klerk comes away as Sale find the heavys.
Short-gains for the home side De Klerk finally kicks. McPhillips returns fire following Tigers possesion. And the Tigers 10 almost keeps in the return. Sale line-out.
PENALTY FOR SALE
MacGinty keeps up his tally with another three points for Sale as they extend their lead to 16 points.
26
MISTAKE BY MCPHILLIPS
Clare finds his man, but McPhillips knocks the ball on after the slip and the ball back in Sale's possession. MacGinty will opt for the posts here.
26
MISTAKE BY MACGINTY
Charlie Clare tries the drive forward for Tigers in their own 22. Luke James gets involved for Sale and MacGinty tries the cross-field kicks but its too far, so Tigers ball as the waters come on for both teams.
24
TIGERS LOOK FOR TERRITORY
Akker van der Merwe jumps on the loose line-out at the set-piece and Sale quickly come out to clear their lines to Tigers 22. Hanro Liebenberg wins the Tigers line-out and Ben Youngs kicks clear for territory.
Mistake for the home-side and the ball back with Tigers. Josh Beaumont collects the line-out with the pace of the game slowing down.
20
TIGERS RESPONSE
Tigers fighting to keep in the game as we reach the twenty minute mark. The away sides half has seen a lot of the action.
But a line-out from Charlie Clare is collected by Tomas Lavanini, the heavy runners join in Henderson and McPhillips tries the nudge. The Sale maul comes back at Tigers.
MACGINTY KICKS PENALTY
MacGinty kicks his second penalty of the game as Sale extend their lead to no return from Tigers.
17
SALE PENALTY
McPhillips concedes the penalty after a few misplaced throws and kicks from both sides. MacGinty will have another chance at goal here.
16
TIGERS SET-PIECE
Tigers looking for a response from the restart. Sale finding touch with a number of long, clearing kicks but keeping the ball in play. Murimurivalu catches the high ball return and Tigers hard work in defence is rewarded with the penalty in their own half.
McPhillips finds touch. The line-out finds Henderson and the maul forms, it's held up so a chance for Tigers to see ball-in-hand for the first time.
Ben Youngs beginning to pull the strings and Kovus Van Wyk breaks out wide. He's held up and Zack Henry can't collect.
Unlucky for Tigers.
CONVERSION FOR SALE
AJ MacGinty squeezes the ball in the right hand post from out by the touch line as Sharks lead by ten points to nil.
12
SALE PILING PRESSURE
Sale upping the pressure now and MacGinty finds space in the centre to find Byron McGuigan out on the Tigers right, He has Kini Murimurivalu in front but that won't be enough as he crosses the line.
TRY FOR SALE
Byron McGuigan is the game's first try-scorer as he finds space out wide with the man-over for the home side.
10
SALE ASKING QUESTIONS
Sale claim from the restart from McPhillips for Tigers. The home side clear their lines, and Tigers penalised. MacGinty kicks to touch and the line-out follows.
First receiver and Sale break the gain line. A chip-and-chase from the Sale fly-half and he scoops it to find Jean-Luc du Preez, but great defending from Tigers as Zack Henry reads the offload.
PENALTY POINTS FOR SALE
AJ MacGinty scores the games first points with a penalty kick from a central position. Sale have the lead in the opening ten minutes.
6
CHANCE FOR SALE
Akker van der Merwe with the line-out for Sharks, finds a teammate and De Klerk gets thinsg moving.
Beaumont and then Curry try to break the line, but Tigers take the ball illegally on the floor with the counter-ruck and MacGinty going for the posts.
5
Tigers with the line out on the right flank, following the Sale phase. Marland Yarde sees the ball for the first time. But Tigers defending well in their own half. Hanro Liebenberg wins the turnover, and both teams exchange kicks once again.
Sale draw the penalty with the chip, but both teams looking to gain territory from the boot.
3
TIGERS DEFEND WELL
Sale opt for touch and are held up by the Tigers pack. Oosthuizen has a run, but Cameron Henderson is there to rip the ball and Johnny McPhillips clears.
2
SALE PRESSURE
Full-back this evening Zack henry collects the high ball for Tigers, Youngs clears kick from the breakdown and Faf de Klerk gets his hands on the ball for Sale for the first time.
Kicking on the cards in the early stages with another exchange. De Klerk finds Curry who is tackled by Cyle Brink, McGinity tries the chip but Tigers collect. But penalty goes Sale's way.
SHARKS V TIGERS | KICK-OFF
It's AJ McGinity to kick things off here at the AJ Bell stadium with Tigers playing from left to right from the tunnel side.
HERE WE GO...!
0
FIVE TIL KO
Get your drinks in now, we're just FIVE minutes away from kick-off as both team round off their pre-match warm-ups.
RESTART RUGBY
0
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0
THE LEICESTER TIGERS TEAM
[Club appearances in brackets]
15 Zack Henry [21]
14 Kobus Van Wyk [11]
13 Matías Moroni [13]
12 Dan Kelly [15]
11 Kini Murimurivalu [17]
10 Johnny McPhillips [17]
9 Ben Youngs (c) [258]
1 Luan de Bruin [15]
2 Charlie Clare [29]
3 Joe Heyes [65]
4 Cameron Henderson [12]
5 Tomás Lavanini [33]
6 George Martin [12]
7 Cyle Brink [14]
8 Hanro Liebenberg [30]
REPLACEMENTS
16 Nic Dolly [1]
17 James Whitcombe [4]
18 Will Hurd [1]
19 Calum Green [57]
20 Jasper Wiese [14]
21 Jack Van Poortvliet [18]
22 David Williams [4]
23 Freddie Steward [30]
0
HOW SHARKS WILL LINE UP...
15 Luke James, 14 Byron McGuigan, 13 Sam James, 12 Sam Hill, 11 Marland Yarde, 10 AJ MacGinty, 9 Faf De Klerk; 1 Bevan Rodd, 2 Akker van der Merwe, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 4 Cobus Wiese, 5 Josh Beaumont (c) 6 Jean-Luc du Preez, 7 Tom Curry, 8 Daniel du Preez.
Replacements: 16 Ewan Ashman, 17 Ross Harrison, 18 Will-Griff John, 19 James Phillips, 20 Cameron Nield, 21 Raffi Quirke, 22 Kieran Wilkinson, 23 Connor Doherty
0
MATCH PREVIEW
Leicester Tigers and Sale Sharks bring up a century of meetings when they run out in Round 18 of the Gallagher Premiership season on Friday evening.
In 99 previous meetings between the clubs, Tigers have 67 wins, to 27 by Sale and five matches drawn.
Sharks have had the better of recent encounters, though, winning the last five, including a 25-15 triumph at Mattioli Woods Welford Road earlier this season. Click here to revisit the action from that match.
With just five rounds remaining in the league season, Sharks are in third place with 55 points, just three behind defending champions Exeter Chiefs in second place.
Read our full preview here.
0
SALE AWAY | LIVE WITH MDL
It's that David Gray classic as Tigers travel up north to take on Sale Sharks at the AJ Bell Stadium.
Kick-off is half an hour away and we'll be bringing you all the action as it happens right here on Matchday Live on the official Leicester Tigers app.