Wilko hands Sharks narrow win

Sale Sharks took a narrow 26-25 win over Newcastle Falcons in the Guinness Prem.

Guinness Premiership, Edgeley Park, Friday September 2

Two crucial errors from substitute Jonny Wilkinson handed Sale Sharks a narrow 26-25 win in their Guinness Premiership opener at Edgeley Park.

With the game finely poised, a handling error from the England captain - who had arrived on the pitch as a half-time substitute - allowed rival fly-half Charlie Hodgson to score a try that tipped the game in Sale's favour.

Thanks to a late Anthony Elliott try, Newcastle still had the chance to score a last-gasp win but, with the last kick of the game, Wilkinson saw his conversion sail wide of the posts.

Hodgson did much of the damage for Sale with a 21-point haul, and he opened the scoring with a 40-metre penalty.

But the Falcons hit back with the game's first try on 19 minutes when, following a Mark Cueto knock on, the resulting scrum eventually led to full-back Matthew Burke crashing over.

The Sharks re-took the lead after 34 minutes when the skill and dexterity of Jason White and debutant Elvis Sevealai'i led to Cueto finishing the move in the right corner.

Wilkinson's arrival had an immediate effect, his scavenging work leading to Elliott flying over on the right flank only three minutes after the restart.

The World Cup winner converted to give the visitors a 14-10 lead but Hodgson quickly put the hosts back in front with a pair of penalties.

Wilkinson then responded with a penalty of his own, before his handling gaffe allowed - inevitably - Hodgson to take advantage.

The two fly-halfs were dominating proceedings, with Hodgson claiming another penalty before a skewed Wilkinson drop-goal closed the gap to just six points.

The game was set for a final twist when Elliott went over in the corner but, with the game for the taking, Wilkinson's aim cost his side a winning start to their Premiership campaign.

But, despite their win, Sale could still find themselves in hot water, after they breached RFU regulations by playing British and Irish Lions Hodgson, Cueto, Jason Robinson and Andrew Sheridan for the entire encounter.

The RFU are set to assess the situation on Monday, with Sale facing the possibility of either a fine or having points docked.

Sale (10) 26.
Tries: Lund, Hodgson.
Cons: Hodgson 2.
Pens: Hodgson 4.

Newcastle (7) 25.
Tries: Burke, Elliot 2.
Cons: Walder, J. Wilkinson.
Pens: J. Wilkinson.
Drop Goals: J. Wilkinson.
Att: 10,456