After last weeks close encounter with Bath and allowing a first  victory to slip through their fingers, the Warriors were going to be tested by one of the best sides in the Premiership this season to date.

For the supporters it was an early finish and a long long journey up the M6. With traffic problems all the way up the journey took over 4hrs. Not to be downhearted the happy band alighted at Edgeley Park full of optimism, could Worcester realistically come away with a bonus or optimistically steal an unexpected victory.

It was over to the food and beer bar, where went up the call, over there through the car park and behind the stand. canned Tetley's and Steak pie tasted remarkable good. Not a bad start to the evening

On Came insomnia, (or something like that), they were excellent and gave a well choreographed display of dancing acrobatics. Apparently organised by Sidney Shark/ he looked good waltzing around the park with a quick sidestep and shoe shuffle.

The atmosphere was set, word from the dressing room was the team were relaxed and ready for this one. Could we do it, could we.

Only time and some heroic enterprise was going to give us the answer to that question.

The teams came out to rapturous applause and didn't the travelling Worcester fans cheer. I could feel my heart miss a beat as the volume just sucked my breath away. What a night in prospect

Legs pumping off he took only to be caught some 15 meters short. the supporting backrow were there in an instant. Taking on the ball and driving forward. then the ubiquitous dropped ball allowed Sale to clear their lines.

Could our dreams be coming true, could we do the impossible??

First a scrum was awarded to The Warriors as sale knocked on under enormous pressure from the Worcester backrow. Lost possession from a dropped ball allowing Sale o clear once more to touch.

The line-out was won by Craig soaring above everyone, only for possession to be lost as he landed, the protection was not around him fast enough. Turnover ball again and the line was cleared. Sale stole the resulting lineout and cleared the ball up to the 10meter line.

At this points the speed and determination of the Warriors forwards looked pretty spectacular, but was this a false dawn.

The away supporters were in great voice giving their hero's a massive  lift with their vocal support

And boy did they get back into the game.

The speed and power from the talented backrow was awesome. The warriors just had no answer as hole after hole was breached. Sale surged deep into the Warriors 22, the ball was worked quickly wide, storming into the center was England international Jones who strode over the line with the warriors stretched and broken.

From the kick-off Worcester took the ball and attacked but once again lost possession handed Sale another turnover and back they came.

Respite was but for a few minutes as Cueto was released once again and stormed over, with Hodgson converting his second try

Sale 14 : 0 Warriors

Worcester at this stage were behind the eight ball but all was by far from lost.

The forwards worked hard at the breakdowns recovering some useful ball. But dear me was it slow getting to Brown who was cleverly mixing his long miss pass, with a short inside ball to his centers. several times the defence was creaking, just one more push, one more surge and we would be through. Once again all came to nought as ball was invariable spilt or last in the tackle.

Eventually Sale were penalised at the ruck and James Brown hit a fine conversion to take the score to

Sale 14 : 03 Warriors

As last Saturday, when you have just conceded a point you attack with everything. Sale did so and immediately forced a penalty.

Sale 17 : 3 Warriors.

From this point onwards it was all the real attacking from Sale and massive endeavour from the warriors. Worcester were getting much of the ball but the ball was so slow getting away from the breakdown I hade time to go and get another steak pie.

Sale capitalised on all the indecision at the base of the Warriors forwards catching Cole in possession time and time again, just as Bath had done the previous week.

Gillies and Daly were once again having a great day at the office winning all but 1 of their lineouts

Sale were starting to put on a show and the signs were very ominous!

They attacked from all angles and speed. They would drive a hole in midfield and the backrow would pick and drive with some wonderful handling and support play. the Warriors defence tried but in vain to close them down. they were slow up to the midfield and first up tackling all around the team was not really up to the standard we have become use to from these guys.

was the fact they wanted to stay on their feet to be available to defend agin knowing that Sale loved to throw the ball around and keep the ball alive. this meant we were getting half tackles and Sale just ran on through the holes created.