Aviva Premiership: Danny Cipriani on form as Sale beat Wasps
Stand-off Danny Cipriani came off the bench to inspire Sale to a 26-22 victory over Wasps at AJ Bell Stadium.
Last Updated: 20/09/13 10:57pm
Cipriani replaced Nick Macleod after 19 minutes and racked up 21 points against his former club before the Sharks withstood a late fightback from the visitors.
Cipriani, who was playing his first game of the season having been left out of the previous two matches, scored one try and set up another while also kicking four penalties and two conversions.
Wasps fought back well from a 17-point deficit as Ashley Johnson and Josh Bassett touched down and they were also awarded a penalty try, but Sale held on in the closing stages.
The hosts were dealt a blow before kick-off as James Gaskell and Dwayne Peel pulled up in the warm-up.
After a scrappy start to the match Cipriani entered the fray for the injured Macleod, the seven-time capped England international kicking the first points after an infringement at a lineout.
Level
Goode then levelled matters with a three-pointer of his own before Sale produced their most coherent attack of the half when Cueto, Tom Brady and Andy Forsyth combined.
Wasps were now under severe pressure and they eventually succumbed as Cueto powered through some flimsy tackling to score the first try of the contest.
Cipriani converted and also added a penalty late in the half to take the Sharks into a 13-3 lead at the interval.
Sale took the momentum in the second half as Cipriani jinked his way over the try-line after 48 minutes. The conversion was also slotted over to give the home side a 20-3 lead.
However, to their credit Wasps battled back and reduced the deficit when a maul ended in Johnson crossing the whitewash.
Cipriani then kicked another penalty, but it was Wasps who were now in the ascendancy thanks to their driving game and referee Tim Wigglesworth awarded a penalty try after the Sharks buckled before Bassett crossed with nine minutes left.
Andy Goode had the chance to snatch the lead but his conversion missed and Cipriani secured the win with another three-pointer when Wasps attempted to go from deep and infringed at the breakdown.