Amlin Challenge Cup: Sale Sharks see off Worcester in Pool 1
Sale boosted their hopes of reaching the knockout stages of the Amlin Challenge Cup with a 21-3 triumph over Worcester.
Last Updated: 10/01/14 11:11pm
Dwayne Peel, who this week announced he will be leaving the Sharks at the end of the season, scored the first of the home side's three tries as they coasted to victory against their Aviva Premiership rivals.
Danny Cipriani added a pair of first-half penalties to make it 11-3 at the break, the Warriors' points coming courtesy of Paul Warwick's boot.
However, Sale put the game beyond their opponents when Jonathan Mills touched down in the 43rd minute, former British and Irish Lions scrum-half Peel again proving the catalyst.
Sam Tuitupou rounded out the scoring by crossing the line just before the hour mark, though the centre finished the match in the sin-bin. A deliberate knock-on saw the Sharks end with only 14 men on the field.
A difficult night for Worcester was made even worse when fly-half Warwick was stretchered off following a lengthy delay in proceedings.
Victory mean Sale move five points clear at the top of Pool 1 but their failure to clinch a bonus point has opened the door for Biarritz to draw level with them at the summit when they face Oyonnax.
Bath, meanwhile, remain four points clear in Pool 2 despite Bordeaux-Begles claiming their biggest European victory for more than 12 years with a 10-try rout of Rugby Mogliano.
Centre Thibault Lacroix and full-back Joaqim Tuculet both crossed twice as the French side brushed aside their Italian opponents by a 64-7 scoreline.