Charlie Hodgson kicks 18 points as Saracens win at Sale Sharks
7:42pm Saturday 8th September 2012 in Latest Sport
Charlie Hodgson ensured Saracens maintained their 100 per cent start to the Premiership season by kicking 18 points as his side won 23-16 at his former club Sale Sharks.
The fly-half, who broke through the 2,000 Premiership points barrier in the Men in Black’s opening-day thumping of London Irish, landed four first-half penalties at the home club’s new Salford City Stadium home after a Danny Cipriani penalty had opened the scoring for the hosts.
The visitors had opportunities to score the first try in the opening period, only for their handling out wide to let them down, while earlier Brad Barritt had looked set to touch down until he was stopped by a big hit from Sam Tuiitupou.
Sale got themselves back into the contest after the break when Will Addison outpaced Hodgson’s covering tackle to score under the posts after being released by Will Fraser.
However, Sarries took control again with a superbly-worked try that originated with a driving maul in their own half and then Alex Goode broke the line to set up England star Chris Ashton for his third score in two matches.
Hodgson’s conversion made it 20-16 and he kicked a further penalty to round off the victory.
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