Newcastle beat Sale 17-3 as Wade scores

Newcastle beat Sale 17-3 in a match shaped by the wind, kicking, penalties and resolute defence. Christian Wade crossed in the right corner at Kingston Park, nine minutes into the second half. The try brought him level with Chris Ashton’s Prem try-scoring record, BBC Sport reports. The outlet says it was Wade’s 101st score.

The wing did not add another try in a game that offered few chances. Newcastle did, however, extend its lead when George McGuigan got the ball over the line at the back of a maul. The result gives Newcastle its first league win of the season against Sale, also referred to as Sale Sharks in BBC Sport’s report. The same outlet describes it as Newcastle’s fifth win in four Prem seasons.

The result ended a positive run for Sale: before this match, the side had not lost either of its previous two league games. Sale had also been among the teams discussed as title contenders before the season began. For Newcastle coach Dan McFarland, the win is therefore a first step to build on.

Newcastle sit 11th in the Premier League standings with 8 points after 7 matches. Their league record is 2 wins, 2 draws and 3 defeats, with 10 goals scored and 14 conceded. Over their last 5 Premier League matches, they have 1 win, 1 draw and 3 defeats. The victory over Sale comes in a league campaign in which Newcastle have won two of their seven matches so far, giving McFarland a recent result to build upon.