Exiles squeeze past Sharks

Adrian Jarvis: Kicked two late penalties

A 76th-minute penalty from replacement Adrian Jarvis sealed London Irish a 21-19 win over Sale at the Madejski Stadium.

The Exiles registered their sixth Aviva Premiership victory of the season thanks to the trusty boot of Jarvis, the replacement fly-half kicking six crucial points in the final 15 minutes to settle a tight contest.

Bryn Evans and Topsy Ojo both touched down for the hosts while Tom Homer added a conversion and a penalty before being taken off.

Sale's Nick Macleod kicked four penalties and converted full-back Rob Miller's early try but they ultimately came up just short on their travels.

Shingler selected

England cap Shontayne Hape failed a late fitness test for Irish so coach Toby Booth promoted Welsh-born Steve Shingler, who was this week controversially selected in Scotland's Six Nations squad, from the bench.

However it was Sale who got off to the best possible start when Miller was given an inside pass by centre Johnny Leota to find the slightest of gaps for a try with just six minutes gone.

And within moments the Sharks extended their lead when Irish infringed 38 metres from their own line, giving Macleod, who had already converted Miller's touchdown, the chance to kick a long-range penalty.

However, the rest of the half was all Irish as they woke up and created some great attacking situations, two of which they turned into points.

Evans touched the ball down on 13 minutes after being set free by Jonathan Spratt's pass and then Ojo followed his team-mate's lead, crossing the line thanks to an assist from Shingler.

Their lead at the break could, and should, have been greater than two points though, with winger Ojo himself guilty of bombing a glorious chance when he dropped a pass from full-back Delon Armitage.

Sale could have also conceded again when Irish pounded their line but a brilliant turnover from skipper Sam Tuitupou saved the day.

And Sale's nervy half was epitomised when scrum-half Dwayne Peel tried to clear inside his own 22 only for home number eight Alex Gray to charge down, with the ball flying into touch in goal.

They were, however, much improved after the break, gaining some early territory as the pack, with flanker Richie Vernon and number eight Andy Powell to the fore, caused their opponents problems.

No favours

Irish did themselves no favours either when hooker David Paice was sent to the sin-bin for a dump tackle on Wales number eight Andy Powell.

But, while Macleod put Sale into a one-point lead with the resulting penalty, they did not take full advantage of their numerical advantage.

And, as Macleod, Homer and then Jarvis exchanged penalties with the clock ticking down, it was anyone's match as the Londoners sat 18-16 up.

The lead changed again and again as replacement wing Marland Yarde went charging into the visiting midfield unnecessarily, allowing Macleod to kick his fourth penalty for a 19-18 Sale advantage.

But, just as the Sharks looked to set to swim back to Manchester with a road win, an error at a scrum handed Jarvis the chance to seal the match in the Exiles' favour.