Robinson keeps Sharks afloat

Jason Robinson's late try sealed Sale's place in the last four of the EDF Energy Cup.

EDF Energy Cup, Sale Sharks v Llanelli Scarlets, Edgeley Park, Saturday December 2

Injury-hit Sale booked their place in the semi-finals of the EDF Energy Cup with a 21-5 success over the Scarlets.

Jason Robinson's solo score in the second half clinched the win for the Sharks, who finish top of Group C with a perfect record.

The full-back - who has hinted he is open to an international return - displayed the type of predatory skills England needed so badly in the recent Autumn internationals as he wriggled his way over out wide.

Despite their depleted numbers, including long-term absentees Charlie Hodgson, Jason White and Andrew Sheridan, the reigning Guinness Premiership champions still had enough quality to see off their Welsh opponents.

The final margin of victory could have been even more comfortable had Daniel Larrachea not left his kicking boots at home.

The fly-half missed four penalties and one conversion in the first half before handing over the duties to Lee Thomas.

Sale's failure to turn possession into points meant the Scarlets were still in touch at half-time after Iestyn Thomas scored their only try.

The prop's close-range effort came shortly after he had come back onto the field following a yellow card for diving in at a ruck.

His absence for 10 minutes had allowed Sale to score the first points of the match through Sililo Martens; the scrum-half taking Sebastian Chabal's clever pass from the back of a scrum to go over on the left.

The breakthrough should have given the Sharks confidence to kick on, yet instead it was the Scarlets who responded to the opening try.

With Sale reduced to 14 men after Stuart Turner was sent to the sin bin, the returning Thomas was on hand to plant the ball down after an extended spell of pressure on the home line.

Larrachea then failed with a drop-goal attempt to continue his miserable opening half and it was left to Lee Thomas to boot the hosts further clear.

The Welshman showed his team-mate how it should be done, slotting over a penalty to make it 8-5 at the break and then adding six more points after the re-start.

He also converted Robinson's late score after the home skipper had provided a rare moment of quality in an otherwise error strewn second half.

A trademark burst somehow get him through the tired defence on the right to seal his side's progression in the competition.