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Sale Sharks can tighten their grip on Pool 1 with back-to-back victories over tournament newcomers Oyonnax this week and next. - 04/12/2013 09:32
Sale Sharks can tighten their grip on Pool 1 with back-to-back victories over tournament newcomers Oyonnax this week and next.
The Sharks sit top of the pool after successive victories in their opening two games and repeating the feat at the Stade Charles Mathon and AJ Bell Stadium would leave them in pole position ahead of their home tie with Worcester Warriors and a mouth-watering trip to Biarritz Olympique.
Sale started with a 33-10 win over Biarritz in Salford before backing up that positive beginning with an equally impressive bonus-point triumph at Worcester, results that leave them with nine points from a possible 10 and a four-point cushion at the head of the standings.
The Sharks came close to shocking Saracens in the Aviva Premiership on Saturday and had won their two previous fixtures at Harlequins and at home to Worcester. They have been boosted by the return of centre cum wing Will Addison since the last round of European games and announced new deals for prop Ross Harrison and fly-half Nick Macleod last week.
Oyonnax have a formidable record on home soil, though, having beaten Heineken Cup holders RC Toulon, runners up ASM Clermont Auvergne, 2012 Amlin Challenge Cup kings Biarritz, French Champions Castres Olympique and Heineken Cup Pool 6 front runners Perpignan in front of their own fans.
Their proud record continued when they cruised to a 26-9 domestic success over Brive at the weekend, meaning Stade Francais are still the only side to have won at Oyonnax’s home ground so far this season. Last season’s PROD2 winners could only draw their Amlin Challenge Cup opener at Charles Mathon with Worcester courtesy of a last-gasp penalty from Conrad Barnard, however, with their 26-6 defeat at Biarritz in Round 2 leaving them at the bottom of the table with just two points to their name.
Vidéo de l'action ayant conduit à la citation d'Adam Jaulhac - 08/11/2013 13:07
Joe Ford slotted a late drop-goal to keep Sale Sharks top of Pool One in the Amlin Challenge Cup as Oyonnax claimed their first European win.
The French club have been major giant killers in the Top14, claiming the scalps of Heineken Cup champions RC Toulon and finalists ASM Clermont Auvergen already this season.
And they took their first win in European competition thanks to an Augustin Figuerola try and kicks from Benjamin Urdapilleta and Nicolas Vuillemin.
Sale rallied at the death and Ford struck at the death to ensure the English club remained at the summit of the pool.
Oyonnax fly-half Urdapilleta kicked the scoreboard in to action after just two minutes at Stade Charles Mathon but Sale struck with the first try.
The ball was spread to Rob Miller, who threaded a pinpoint kick through for MacKenzie, who collected the ball and stepped inside Silvere Tian to score.
MacLoed added the extras but Urdapilleta quickly hit-back. Oyonnax went in front on 20 minutes, as Figuerola raced over with a quick-tap.
Urdapilleta was once again on target and the French club weathered a Sale storm to enter the break leading 13-7
Oyonnax began the second-half in commanding fashion and Sale almost shot themselves in the foot when MacLoed threw an interception pass.
Both teams threatened in attack but were let down by incessant unforced errors as a frantic second-half stalemate ensued.
That was until the 74th minute when Vuillemin landed a penalty, after Tony Buckley infringed, to seal the win. Sale continued to fight and had numerous late chances before Ford salvaged a losing bonus-point.
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