Leicester Tigers 36-35 Sale Sharks result – Gallagher PREM latest as Adam Radwan brace of tries secures home win despite Luke James hat-trick

Leicester Tigers withstood a late George Ford-inspired fightback to record a 36-35 victory against Sale Sharks.

A brace of Adam Radwan tries inside the opening 34 minutes proved decisive as the Sharks were left the task of fighting back from 15 points behind.

The Sharks were looking for a response after a heavy defeat against Saracens the previous week and Tom O'Flaherty pulled them back into the match.

Leicester were clinical in the first half and Cameron Henderson darted over to restore their 15-point lead on the half-time whistle.

Sale were not beaten and Ford found the run of Luke James to score the first of two consecutive tries.

Welford Road breathed a sigh of relief as Emeka Ilione and Tom Whiteley muscled their way over in response to restore the home side’s buffer.

However, the Sharks fought back again with Tom Roebuck sealing their fourth try bonus point.

Ford was determined against his former side and once again played James through for his hat-trick. Despite the talisman kicking Sale back to within a single point, the visitors just fell short.

Leicester Tigers skipper Ollie Chessum said his side ‘took the foot off the throttle’ resulting in a single point win over Sale Sharks.

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Leicester Tigers right winger Adam Radwan said that their narrow victory over Sale Sharks was ‘massive’ for the club.

He told TNT Sports: "It’s massive.

Two narrow victories in as many weeks sees Leicester go into the Autumn break a single point outside the top four positions.

Sale will be left reflecting on what might have been as they fall short in an epic second half fightback. The Sharks are in seventh and have work to do before Christmas.

A late scrum results in a Tigers penalty which Searle kicks out and Leicester win this tussle by a single point (36-35).

A box-kick sees James put under immediate pressure by Radwan. The Sale man drops the ball under pressure and the Tigers gain vital ground late in the match.

The Leicester man gathered pace and forced a massive tackle from three Sharks players. That was one for the highlights reel.

Radwan helps his team massively to grab Ford in the tackle and wins a penalty. Leicester kick deep into their visitors’ territory.

Jibulu then manages to turn the ball over.

It’s a hat-trick of tries for Luke James. Ford makes the darting run before hearing the call of James inside to score.

Ford kicks the conversion to pull his side back to a single point.

Summer signing Bailey comes on for Leicester and replaces Perese on his first start for the Welford Road side.

There is no clear winner in this one as we head towards the final 10 minutes. Ford remains influential in the Sale response.

However, Leicester look just as likely to pull away with Kata and now replacement Searle making their mark.

Harper is replaced by Patreece Bell for Sale; Haffar on for Smith for Leicester

Du Preez whips a pass out wide before O’Flaherty’s pass is back inside for Roebuck to score. Ford converts as Sale find another response and seal a bonus point.

Once again Leicester look for an immediate response. Ford holds up Chessum initially as the forwards drive.

A nice dummy from Whiteley creates enough space to cross. Searle kicks the conversion to restore their advantage.

It’s the same combination that unlocks the Leicester defence. A series of drives is followed by a brilliant pass from Ford who spots James’ run.

Ford slots the conversion and Sale are back to eight points.

For Leicester: Cracknell is replaced by Ilione.

For Sale: Reed comes on for Ma'asi-White; Quirke comes on for Warr; Jibulu for Cowan-Dickie

Leicester re-start quickly and Steward kicks them forward with two efforts.

The Tigers are too strong for their opponents and after eight phases of play replacement Ilione scores, seconds after coming on.

The conversion is good and Leicester lead by 15 points again.

Sale eventually find their reply early in this second half.

Some nice passing between Du Preez and Ford results in a penalty being awarded which is kicked to touch.

Vermeulen uses himself as a battering ram to bring Sale next to the try-line, but their drive over is denied by Hassell-Collins.

Sale go again and the ball is recycled by Ford along the line to James to score. Ford kicks the conversion in front of the posts.

We are back underway at Welford Road where George Ford and Sale will need to find a response if they are going to avoid successive defeats.

Whichever side wins tonight will sit very nicely in the Gallagher PREM table.