Sale Sharks vs Exeter Chiefs match report: Danny Cipriani the star turn as Sale stall Exeter's rise
Sale 18 Exeter 11: Cipriani was the inspiration in the second half
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Your support makes all the difference.Danny Cipriani created one try and scored another as Sale ruined Exeter’s hopes of climbing to the top of the Aviva Premiership.
Cipriani was the inspiration in the second half, putting Mark Cueto over for Sale’s first try in the 51st minute and then scoring himself just before the hour mark.
The home side made eight changes to their starting line-up, including reuniting Cipriani and Chris Cusiter in the half-backs.Exeter captain Dean Mumm, fly-half Gareth Steenson and No 8 Thomas Waldrom returned after being rested.
Exeter found themselves down to 13 men quickly when Ben White was sent to the sinbin for not rolling away. A penalty from Cipriani put Sale ahead.
On 30 minutes, another Cipriani penalty restored Sale’s lead.
In the 51st minute Cipriani cleverly sent Cueto over in the left corner following a driving maul. The fly-half converted and eight minutes later, a fine move which involved Mike Haley and Cueto led to Cipriani being played in down the left flank and he dived over.
Cipriani suffered a leg injury after being tackled in the act of scoring and he was swiftly replaced by Joe Ford, who could not convert the try. Thomas Waldrom went over late on for the visitors to secure a bonus point.
Line-ups:
Sale: Haley; Addison, Leota, Tuitupou, Cueto; Cipriani (Ford 59), Cusiter (Cliff 59); Lewis-Roberts (Harrison 59), Jones (Mamukashvilli 67), Cobilas, Mills (Ostrikov 59), Hines, Braid, Lund (Seymour 67), Beaumont Replacements not used: Flynn, Jennings.
Exeter: Dollman; Nowell, Slade, Whitten (Hill 59), Jess; Steenson, Chudley (Thomas 67); Moon (Rimmer 59), L Cowan-Dickie (Yeandle 49), Low (Brown 59), Mumm, Welch, Ewers, White (Lees 47), Waldrom Replacements not used: Horstmann, Hughes.
Referee: W Barnes (RFU)
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