The Prem: Newcastle Red Bulls 17-3 Sale Sharks – Christian Wade equals Chris Ashton’s try record

The Prem

Newcastle (0) 17

Tries: Wade, McGuigan Cons: Hodge 2 Pen: Hodge

Sale (3) 3

Pen: Ford

Christian Wade equalled Chris Ashton’s Prem try-scoring record with a 101st score as Newcastle Red Bulls posted their first league win of their season against Sale Sharks.

On a blustery night dominated by kicking, penalties and stubborn defence delivered a 17-3 win and the try that Kingston Park wanted, with Wade going over in the right corner to draw level with Ashton nine minutes into the second period.

A second eluded Wade in a game of few chances but George McGuigan did smuggle the ball over at the back of a maul as Newcastle stretched clear to post only a fifth win in four Prem seasons.

Despite Wade’s milestone, the match was far from a thrilling spectacle

However, Newcastle coach Dan McFarland will be keen now to build on this first step against a side who had been unbeaten in their previous two league outings and among the names in the title conversation before the start of the season.

More to follow.

Newcastle: Hodge; Wade, Harris, Rigg, Kok; Connon, Benitez Cruz; Rakete-Stones, McGuigan, Millar Mills, Usher, Tuima, Hicks, Christie, Sotutu.

Replacements: Togiatama, West, Moreno, Baker, Leatherbarrow, Graham, Elliott, Henry.

Sale: Carpenter; Roebuck, Marchant, Maasi-White, O’Flaherty; Ford, Hanson; N Smith, Cowan-Dickie, Francis, Van Rhyn, Bamber, Tshiunza, B Curry, T Curry.

Replacements: Jibulu, McIntyre, Opoku-Fordjour, Canakaivata, Dugdale, Lozowski, Louw, Reed.

Referee: Matthew Carley.