The last few weeks have all been building up to this ferocious battle. The international call ups reduced the team to its core. That core came together for an immense fight with Leeds Tykes, built on that victory with a powerful win against Worcester, and on Friday night they faced their biggest challenge yet. Both sides were heavily depleted thanks to the international sides and a fair share of injuries too. Leicester were claiming 18 players down, Sale 16. Nevertheless it was always going to be a tough match.

The game was good - Sale's pack shone again, even with a brand new back row in the shape of Taione, Bonner-Evans and Lund all of who shone. Scrum-half Martens was dominant and put in some enormous tackles. In the backs Ripol gave Robinson a run for his money - putting in some extreme defence and running superbly well. Larrachaea had another exceptional game too. Oh, and I think all Sharks Supporters owe a big thank you to Mark Taylor for choosing to play for the Sharks and not for Wales. Thanks Mark.

The scoring opened for Sale following a scrappy performance from Leicester in the first quarter; Larrachaea putting over three penalties for nine unanswered points. The Tigers hit back with a couple of their own, and they shut the Sale faithful up with some beautiful backs play. They are young and fast and know how to pass. Fortunately the Sale defensive line know how to knock people over and did so in spades.

Then the pack released the ball to the Sale backs who showed the Tigers that they can run too. Mark Taylor got the inevitable try and Valentin Courrent converted - 16-9 and half-time. The half-time entertainment featured Sharky lip-synching whilst a giant penguin inexplicably wobbled around the Shotton Stand ... the Leicester Penguins?

With the Sharks now playing towards the Cheadle End they began powering their way down the pitch and quickly found themselves in close range. The ball was passed out to the right into the waiting hands of Oriol Ripol. From where I was sitting it looked as though he could easily have crossed the line, but in a heart warming show of selflessness he popped the ball back inside to the perfectly placed Magnus Lund who duly scored the try. Lund looked ecstatic in celebration.

Despite not scoring the admittedly difficult conversion, Courrent made amends soon after with a penaly to bring the Sharks total to 24. This looked in the bag. You can never trust the Tigers to give up though, and they put in a great performance and to add to the tension Bonner-Evans and Stewart were yellow carded. Leicester took advantage to score an easy try, but it was too late. Sale got the victory and denied Leicester a losing bonus point. Excellent work.