Sale bring home the silverware

Sale won their first major trophy and maintained the English monopoly in Europe with a dramatic fightback to beat Pontypridd in the Parker Pen Shield Final at Oxford yesterday.

Following Leicester's victory over Munster on Saturday to retain the Heineken Cup, Jim Mallinder's side capped a sensational season by succeeding Harlequins as champions of the continent's secondary tournament. Sale had to do it the hard way yesterday as they trailed 15-3 at half-time. Scrapping desperately to contain the Welsh side's fiery forwards, they did so for just long enough for tries by Martin Shaw, Steve Hanley and substitute Dan Harris to ease them through. Pontypridd, with hooker Mefin Davies and flanker Richard Parks outstanding, swarmed all over their English opponents and full back Brett Davey's four penalties and a drop goal from fly half Ceri Sweeney deservedly put Lynn Howells's side in charge.

It was not enough, primarily because of the efforts of Sale's midfield. Mel Deane showed the form that earned him an Ireland call-up last week with some elusive running while, outside him, Martin Shaw scored one try and made another.

In the 53rd minute, Sale began their recovery. From a close-range line-out, Deane and No.8 Pete Anglesea both drove just short of the line before Charlie Hodgson sent Shaw careering over. Just four minutes later, Pontypridd gifted Sale a second try. They lost the ball from a driving maul, allowing Hodgson and Shaw to combine to send Steve Hanley blazing over. Pontypridd's pack steamed over for Davies to touch down and Davey's conversion left them four points in front. But with eight minutes remaining Hodgson had one last trick. His delightful delayed pass sent Harris hurtling through a huge gap and under the posts.

After receiving the Shield scrum half and captain Bryan Redpath admitted: 'That's the reason I've signed for another two years because I want to win things. I see players here who are ambitious.' Mallinder added: 'To win a massive trophy like this is going to do wonders for our profile.'