By MacShark
October 26 2004

Bronzed, blotto and bleary-eyed, MacShark returns from Sicily and wishes he were back there. Before hopping on thenext filght, though, he gives us his thoughts on a game that was, frankly, closer than many expected.

“Welcome to the Goretti”, proclaimed the effervescent Amatori Catania Director of Rugby. The Stadio Santa Maria de Goretti, is a sun baked arena nestling at the foot of Mount Etna. Dense smoke streamed from the volcano with the temperature was into the thirties, as Sale Sharks faced up to an in form Italian side, determined to make an impact in their inaugural European match. Two thousand Catanese roared, as the match erupted from the kick off. Within moments, Sale were on the back foot, a penalty was narrowly missed by former Glasgow Rugby outside half Barry Irving. It has hot and the pitch looked huge. The most enormous in goal area, was the bait for the most expansive team. Sale bristled with steel, vigor and speed, Philippe Saint Andre opting for a blend of European veterans & new boys, typified by Pete Anglesea and John Carter in the pack & Mark Cueto with James Moore in the backs. Despite early Catania pressure, it was one of Andy Robinson’s choices for the an autumn winger spot, that took the invitation, sprinting down the right to score under the posts. Mike Hercus converted. The Silician crowd was silenced, but not for long. Ben De-Jager, the Catania captain, broke the Sale line, in typically abrasive manner. Irving missed the extra points. By ten minutes, the Catanese were 5-7 down and without timely intervention of Carter’s try saving tackle, it would have been a more arduous toil in the sun for the sharks. Midway through the first half the tide was turning, partly due to two Americans. Hercus the Eagles stand off, took the game by the scruff of the neck, igniting the Sale backs at every opportunity, and fellow international Paul Emerick was replaced by Juan Cosa for Catania. Hercus to Mayor, try & Hercus converted. The French referee obviously spoke either English, Italian or both as Barry Irving was then sent to the bin. Further rapid flat ball from Hercus and the other Sale centre Chris Rhys Jones, furthered the leador the sharks. Hercus converted. At the interval, the score was 5 – 21 to Sale.

The second half was met with another eruption bigger than the first, immediately from kick off, the Sicilan’s seized the initative. A-m-a-t-o-r-i bellowed the crowd as the Sale defence stood firm at the try line. Something had to give, in the end it was the patience of the referee, Stuart Turner binned. The 14 men again stood firm then momentarily melted in the heat, Amatori Catania scored 14 points, in a long ten minutes for Sale. Back to 15 and another penalty given away, Irving duly slotted it, to take the lead 22 – 21. For Catania fans sheer joy, for the neutral it was exhilarating open attacking rugby, for the Tifosi from Sale it was fretful. Energy conservation was out the window, both teams attacking across the park. With Sale and with Hercus in particular, the patterns more incisive, the lines straighter and the passes were more precise. As per the first half, the raging bull has tamed and Cueto scootered over. Man of the match Mike Hercus converted, then kicked a late penalty, to take the final score to Amatori Catania 22, Sale Sharks 31.

As for the 48 Sale fans that made their way to Goretti, by car, plane or boat, it was fantastic. Attacking rugby a la Edgeley Park and Heywood Road before, except that it was free to enter, the first cold pint was free and the club gave some us a lift home !

Ralph J MacKinnon