Connacht well beaten in Shield
Saturday, 3 November 2001 18:38
It was a very one-sided affair at Heywood Road this afternoon as Sale Sharks defeated Connacht 44-6 in the Parker Pen European Shield. An under-strength Connacht side never really expected to overturn this highflying Zurich Premiership outfit, who are also the leaders in Pool 4 of the Shield, but neither did they anticipate a seven tries to nil hammering.
There was only one team in it from the start with Sale fly-half Charlie Hodgson celebrating his midweek call-up to the English squad with a devastating display. He helped Sale ease into a 22-6 interval lead, the only respite for Connacht coming from two Eric Elwood penalties before the break.
Connacht, depleted by injuries to several key players, battled away gamely in the second half but to rub salt into the wound, it was a former Connacht player, Mel Deane who crossed for two of Sale's four second-half tries. Connacht will now concentrate on the Celtic League quarter-final clash with Glasgow. That will take place in early December and on this evidence, they could do with the break.
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
