Nine in a row for Tigers
Leicester scored their ninth successive Aviva Premiership victory on Friday night when they beat Sale 18-16 at Edgeley Park.
Last Updated: 25/02/11 10:44pm
Leicester scored their ninth successive Aviva Premiership victory on Friday night when they beat Sale 18-16 at Edgeley Park.
Tigers fly-half Jeremy Staunton kicked all the points - six penalties - for the reigning champions as they ground out a win which will also have rekindled relegation fears for the Sharks.
The victors therefore stand nine points clear at the top of the table, with Sale coming to terms with their 10th defeat of the season.
The Sharks did at least give their fans reason to cheer with the game's only try, which came in the 50th minute when a long pass from Charlie Hodgson set up centre Chris Bell.
However, the points still went Leicester's way - the Sharks earning themselves a consolation bonus point but surely disappointed with their haul having competed throughout.
Leicester have Scott Hamilton to thank as much as Staunton for the result, as it was his saving tackle on Rob Miller that prevented a second Sale try.
The visitors also welcomed back Tom Croft, who was making his first club start since October 23 as he overcomes a broken shoulder and nerve damage. The England flanker played 55 minutes in all.
Bright
Although Sale made a bright and purposeful start, two penalties from Staunton put the visitors 6-0 ahead by the 10th minute.
The home side may be struggling badly again this season but they were up for the fight and with their forwards fighting fire with fire, Hodgson also sought to direct proceedings from behind the scrum.
The fly-half, set to join Saracens at the end of the season, kicked a penalty and then landed a well-executed drop-goal to draw Sale level by the 15th minute.
Half-back partner Dwayne Peel also cut a lively figure, but Leicester still looked the more threatening with ball in hand and they could have scored in the 16th minute.
Manu Tuilagi embarked on a strong run down the right flank and a short pass inside found his elder brother Alesana advancing at pace.
The Samoan's speed and strength made a try seem inevitable, but Sale centre Kyle Tonetti came to the rescue with a fine tackle.
Moments later, Hamilton broke forward from deep before his progress was halted just inside Sale's 22-metre line.
Staunton then restored Leicester's advantage with his third penalty midway through the first half after Sale forward Sean Cox was shown a yellow card.
Accuracy
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However, Hodgson showed his accuracy with the boot by converting a penalty from halfway on the half hour.
Staunton then missed a penalty but soon converted another to edge Leicester 15-9 in front.
Sale responded in style, though, with Ben Cohen making inroads down the left flank before Hodgson's offload was perfectly timed for Bell to collect and crash over the line.
Hodgson's conversion put Sale ahead for the first time but Staunton's sixth penalty then edged Leicester back in front.
Sale full-back Miller burst clear down the right flank four minutes from time but Hamilton's tackle saved the day, as Leicester proved their mettle once again in a fraught end to the match.
