English Premiership/ Sale 22 Wasps 12: Sale director of rugby Philippe Saint-Andre had nothing but praise for Charlie Hodgson after the inspirational outhalf battled through the pain barrier to guide his side through to the English Premiership final at Twickenham.
The England pivot suffered bruised ribs following a hefty tackle by Simon Shaw midway through the first half of the Sharks' 22-12 victory over Wasps, but trudged on to score 17 match-winning points against the reigning champions at Edgeley Park. Hodgson did not miss a kick all afternoon - he booted five penalties and converted Jason Robinson's dazzling 31st-minute try - while he also showed maturity by squeezing the life out of the Londoners in the final 20 minutes with some measured touch-finding and tactical nous.
Hodgson was not Sale's only hero. In Robinson, they had the game's most incisive runner and it was his sensational 50-yard try which proved to be the match's defining moment.
Flanker and lynchpin Jason White also had a huge game as the Sharks weathered a difficult opening hour before controlling the final 20 minutes in the forwards.
SALE: Robinson, Cueto, Taylor, Seveali'i, Ripol, Hodgson, Martens, Faure, Titterrell, Turner, Lobbe, C Jones, White, Lund, Chabal. Replacements: Bruno for Titterrell (51 mins); Stewart for Turner (54 mins); Foden for Martens (59 mins); Mayor for Seveali'i, Schofield for Lobbe ( both 61 mins), Day for Lund (73 mins).
WASPS: Van Gisbergen; Sackey, Lewsey, Abbott, Voyce; Staunton, Reddan; Payne, Ward, Bracken, Shaw, R Birkett, Leo, Worsley, Dallaglio. Replacements: Waters for Voyce (19 mins); Haskell for R Birkett (49 mins); M Dawson for Reddan, Ibanez for Ward (both 54 mins); King for Staunton (59 mins); Va'a for Payne (71 mins); Lock for Leo (73 mins).
Referee: Chris White (RFU).
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