Sharks too strong for Leeds

Sale notched up a comfortable 27-3 bonus-point victory over Leeds in the LV= Cup on Friday night in what was a dress-rehearsal for next weekend's Guinness Premeirship clash between the two sides.

Leeds headed into the cup match on the back of confidence-boosting wins over Wasps and Leicester, but their youthful side ultimately were well beaten by a solid Sale outfit.

All the points were scored in a one-sided first half as Sale ran in four tries to maintain their hopes of progress in the Anglo-Welsh tournament.

Leeds were on the board first through an early penalty from rising star Joe Ford but Sale quickly asserted their authority on proceedings by running in tries from Marika Vakacegu, Oriol Ripol, Rob O'Donnell and David Seymour.

The result will prove a timely boost for Sale ahead of next week's rematch at Headingley when Leeds will be aiming to secure a first-ever triumph over their northern rivals.

Leeds currently sit bottom of the Premiership but their recent impressive form has raised hopes that this season might not end in the relegation that many predicted.

After Ford slotted his seventh-minute penalty, the pendulum quickly swung well and truly back in Sale's favour.

Delightful move

In the 13th minute, they fashioned a delightful move which saw the ball worked from left to right and pass through the hands of Chris Leck, Charlie Hodgson, David Bishop and Mathew Tait before Vakacegu applied a clinical finish in the corner.

Hodgson, who ran the show for Sale in the opening period, could not add the extras in the blustery, rain-lashed conditions and went on to hit the post with a penalty attempt moments later.

But it was quickly forgotten as Sale soon had their second try when Seymour broke the Leeds line and sent Spanish wing Ripol over in the left corner.

Hodgson's luck deserted him again as his conversion attempt rebounded off a post again to safety but Sale's superiority was underlined in the 24th minute when O'Donnell showed brute strength to burrow his way over from close range.

This time Hodgson did convert and added a penalty soon after and a highly-satisfactory half's work was complete when Seymour secured the bonus point in the 40th minute as he went over for a fine try that his work-rate had merited.

Hodgson again converted but was withdrawn after 10 minutes of a largely nondescript second half in which neither side created any meaningful try-scoring opportunities.

Leeds did battle to the end and almost had some reward with a late try, but Sale stood firm to close out a comprehensive success.