Wasps stung by Sale

Juan Fernandez Lobbe scored two tries as Sale Sharks routed Wasps 31-3 at Edgeley Park on Boxing Day.

The Argentina international scored the first and last tries of the game as the Sharks secured a bonus-point victory to move into second in the Guinness Premiership, with their closest rivals all set to play their games in hand on Saturday.

Charlie Hodgson also contributed 16 points, including a 24th minute try, as the hosts put in a truly dominant display against the reigning champions.

Control

The Sharks were in predatory form and could have gone ahead when Mark Cueto chipped the Wasps line and collected in the opening minutes, but he then failed to find David Doherty outside and the chance went begging.

But Sale did get on the board on 10 minutes as Dean Schofield combined with Neil Briggs to send skipper Fernandez Lobbe over for the game's opening try.

The second quickly followed as Wasps replacement Chris Bishay failed to clear his lines with the ball bobbling towards touch on 10 metres, allowing Doherty to pounce and send Cueto through for a second Sale score.

Dave Walder kicked the Londoners' only points of the game soon after from a penalty, but a second defensive slip then cost Wasps dear.

Dominance

Richard Wigglesworth's pass deflected off the unfortunate Joe Worsley for Hodgson to collect and finish under the posts, helping the home side go in at the break 21-3 to the good.

Sale's dominance continued after the break and Hodgson's penalty 10 minutes in extended their advantage to 21 points.

The introduction of Carl Fearns and Andrew Sheridan shored up the pack thereafter and Dwayne Peel replaced the impressive Wigglesworth at scrum-half.

But Sale were not done scoring yet and Fernandez Lobbe capitalised on a stationary Wasps defence with a quick penalty and drive for the line to make sure the Sharks got back to winning ways in style.