Friday 22 December 2023 - Sale Sharks - 22 : Saracens - 20

Sue and I, and Paul and Jeanette, were treated to a great night out at the A J Bell stadium in Salford, where the Sale Sharks Rugby Union team plays its home games. Bianca (who took the above selfie) had arranged tickets for us through the generosity of her husband, Ernst, who is one of the Sharks' star players. (Readers may recall that our friendship with Ernst and Bianca stems from a chance encounter on a 10 km running race last September.)

The 10,000 seater stadium was almost full, to watch a nailbiting encounter at the top of the league. Sometimes the action was a little distant, with a closer TV screen offering a better look.

But most of the time the action was clear to see. Ernst is pictured in the next two photos - he is the one in Shark Blue, wearing a white skullcap. As far as we could see, he had an excellent game; it looked to me as if when not heaving in the scrum, he was constantly taking measure of his position and the defensive and offensive opportunities that may arise. 

It was a close match, with Saracens needing just a penalty to go ahead, but skilfully the Sharks managed to pin them in their own half for some time before the final whistle blew after 80 minutes of rugby.

At this point spectators could wander onto the pitch and chat with their heroes.

Ernst made his way to us, to be debriefed by Bianca!

It was all very friendly, and very jolly.

Then, after another visit to the bar, Bianca went to the family room and we got the shuttle bus and trams home. What a lovely evening. Thanks again to Ernst and Bianca for the experience.

NB The above picture was taken by a professional photographer with Bianca's phone. We hope the version taken with her (the photographer) own camera may require a bit less photoshopping than the one above!