Stellenbosch University 24, Sale Sharks 31

Sale Sharks won a pulsating final at the 2003 Tilney Melrose 7s and in the process sent South African to their second defeat in the Melrose final. Anthony Elliot and Chris Mayor both claimed a brace in the final to see the trophy return to England for the first time in sixteen years.

A searing run from Dwain Brown opened the scoring in the final as Stellenbosch grabbed the early initiative. Kobus Meintjies converted, but Sale were soon back in the tie when Anthony Elliot proved too fast for the South African’s defence. Warren Sprang converted and a breakout by Chris Mayor gave Sharks the lead for the 1st time, which was extended with Spragg’s conversion.

A couple of missed tackles by the South African’s allowed Sale to extend their lead even further when Elliot barged over in the corner for his second try of the final.
It took a break by Meintjies to bring Stellenbosch back into the tie with his run setting up Brown for his second score of the final.

Stellenbosch closed the gap further with another length of the pitch move that ended with Meintjies crossing for the try, which he converted to tie the scores.

The scores were not level for long as some neat play by Magnus Lund set up Vaughan Going for a try that Spragg converted. It took a superb tackle from Spragg to deny Brown his hatrick as Stellenbosch pushed to level the game. However, a move-involving Going saw Mayor cross for his second score of the tie as Sale stretched their lead.

It looked like Sale would run the clock down, but Stellenbosch kept fighting and were rewarded with a try from Braam Immelman, but the South African’s did not have enough time to form another attack and they lost at the final stage for the second time.

Sale Sharks make getaway	Stellenbosch University touch down
Stellenbosch break away	Sale Sharks approach try line
Sale Sharks evade tackle	Stellenbosch Uni and Sale Sharks come to blows
Sale Sharks put tight hold on Stellenbosch Uni	Sale Sharks victory try

Date: 12/04/2003