Thomas guides Leeds to win
Ceiron Thomas kicked 14 points and played a part in his side's try as Leeds clinched their first ever win against Sale.
Last Updated: 20/02/10 9:10am
Ceiron Thomas kicked 14 points and played a part in his side's try as Leeds clinched their first ever win against Sale.
The Yorkshire side had failed to register a single success over their rivals across Pennines in 17 previous confrontations but the fly-half's faultless display gave the Guinness Premiership strugglers a morale-boosting win.
It had looked like an easy night was in prospect for the hosts after Charlie Hodgson converted Kristian Ormsby's eighth minute try.
Thomas had dropped a goal in the second minute to give Leeds a shock lead but they were soon on the back foot as the stand-off had to make a try-saving tackle in the corner to deny prop Eifion Roberts.
But moments later Sale were in front, Hodgson hitting Ormsby on the overlap before the winger cut inside to go over.
The visitors' cause was not helped when Andy Gomarsall, who had become only the sixth player to make 200 league appearances, limped off with a leg injury after just 20 minutes.
However, Leeds stayed in touch and Thomas reduced the deficit with a penalty before starting off his side's try-scoring move after 30 minutes, sneaking through the Sharks' defence to set up position on the 22.
Following a couple of phases, substitute scrum-half Scott Mathie barged his way over in the corner and with Thomas adding the extras the visitors went in 13-7 up at half-time.
Sale hit back soon after the break, Dwayne Peel, playing the full 80 minutes on his return from a groin injury, took a tap-penalty that caught Leeds unawares, Hodgson converting the penalty after a high tackle on Marika Vakacegu.
But Thomas replied in kind shortly afterwards and the fly-half opened up a nine point lead thanks to more Sale indiscipline, leaving the hosts facing a difficult final quarter.
They worked some good positions but Leeds managed to clear their lines and although a flowing move ended with David Bishop crossing with four minutes to go, the score was denied with Leeds hands preventing the touchdown.
