Sale Sharks 25 Bath 23

12:34pm Saturday 14th April 2007

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TRUTH really is stranger than fiction.

Jason Robinson's career has always been like something straight from the realms of fantasy, but no-one could have imagined it would end in such spectacular fashion.

It was the kind of finale that even the most elaborate of Hollywood scriptwriters might have dismissed as implausible.

But we should all know by now that Billy Whizz writes his own scripts.

With time running out and his side trailing by three, the Sale captain received a pass from Elvis Seveali'i in midfield 40 metres out - we all knew what was coming next.

Robinson dipped, dived and darted his way through the narrowest of gaps and then held off a string of challenges before flying over the try-line with just five seconds left on the clock to end Sharks' nine-game winless run.

Edgeley Park erupted.

The moment threatened to swallow up Robinson, as all sorts of emotions weighed down on the little man, but he managed to compose himself in time for one final flourish.

Lining up the conversion attempt from wide on the left, Robinson sent a booming kick towards the posts.

It slipped narrowly wide, but that mattered little to the home fans, who were already caught up in the jubilation of a first win for three months and in celebrating the career of a true sporting icon.

Robinson's moment of magic was particularly fitting considering it came against the club that had handed him his first, brief opportunity in rugby union more than 10 years ago.

But it was also harsh on Bath, who had looked the more likely for much of the game.

In fact, they even had a chance to virtually wrap things up 10 minutes before the end, only for Olly Barkley's penalty to hit the post with his side leading 23-20.

It was the Bath inside centre who had started the scoreboard ticking over early on, capping off a period of heavy pressure with a well-struck penalty goal.

For all their early energy, however, the visitors found themselves behind just 60 seconds later.

Shocked into action, the English champions simply sliced Bath open, playing the kind of invogorating rugby that has been in too short supply at Edgeley Park this season.

Chabal brilliantly fielded Berne's high kick just inside his own half and rampaged downfield. His progress was halted but a smooth offload sent Chris Mayor into acres of space and the wing sped down the left before sending in Juan Fernandez Lobbe for the try.

Lee Thomas added the conversion and two penalty goals to put his side 13-3 in front and, at this point, it seemed the stage was set for the kind of send-off Robinson had dreamed of.

But, as has so often been the case this season, indiscipline and basic errors crept into Sale's game.

Barkley gratefully fired over two kicks and from a position of power, Sharks were left nervously looking over their shoulders at the break.

It only got worse.

Despite a serious-looking neck injury to flanker Michael Lipman, which caused a lengthy delay to the game, Bath started the second half in determined mood.

After a lineout in the left corner, they piled pressure on the hosts' try-line and following a seemingly endless number of phases, Nick Walshe finally forced his way over And just after the hour mark, Bath piled on the misery. Prop David Barnes broke from a ruck and, doing his best impersonation of a winger, charged 30 metres to score.

That, it seemed, was that, although we should have known Robinson would never have let it all end on such a bum note.

After a spell of heavy Sale pressure, the great man took a smart pass from Seveali'i wide on the right.

The try-line well within his sights, it seemed he would get the score that he so badly wanted. Instead he popped the ball out to Premiership debutant Selorm Kuadey on the overlap and the delighted 19-year-old grabbed the try that put Sharks back in contention.

That Kuadey marked his league debut with a try was special enough, that the vital pass came from his rugby hero made it even more so. It was a sign of the times at Edgeley Park.

And then, just as it looked like hope had evaporated, fully 17 minutes into stoppage time Robinson supplied the genius.

It was a try reminiscent of all his best - last season's individual effort against Wasps in the Premiership semi-final and, of course, that famous moment in the 2003 Rugby World Cup.

It was, moreover, a fitting way to end 15 years at the pinnacle of the club game.