Sale FC dug deep against high flying Chinnor, unbeaten in their previous 7 away fixtures, to record a highly creditable win.
By Bob Smith
Sale FC took on 3rd-placed Chinnor Rugby as they revisited Heywood Rd for only the third tie time in 2020- looking to extend a good home record. Revisit our Matchday Preview to find out more!
Warm up well under way as the dogs prepare to take on @ChinnorRugby at the CorpAcq Stadium. KO 2pm #salevchin #onesalefc #Nat1 pic.twitter.com/ouavNKGq8u
— Sale FC Rugby (@SaleFC) March 7, 2020
Sale were quickly on the front foot with full back Tom Brady in action from the off, taking control of the ball to run back at the Chinnor defence, with Jeremy To’a and Chris Johnson keeping the momentum going, Brady was on hand again to make for the line, scrum half Matt Bradley in support to take the pass and score. Johnsons’ conversion giving Sale a 7 point lead after just 2 minutes play.
Sale continued to control the game, the forwards dominant as the pitch began to cut up. An injury to Chinnor prop Josh McNulty held up the game for some time, when play resumed, Sale kept up the pressure on the visitors who were relieved to win a penalty enabling them to move out of their own half.
10’ the dogs have had the majority of territory so far with @Patty_AhVan and @tbrady14 again to the fore in attack @SaleFC 7 @ChinnorRugby 0 #salevchin
— Sale FC Rugby (@SaleFC) March 7, 2020
Chinnor began to take some control of the game, levelling on 22 minutes following some explosive running by winger Jason Worrall, flanker James Tyas forcing his way over to score, Laurence May converting.
From that point, the visitors took the upper hand- their pack, having frequent success from lineout drives, eventually applying sufficient pressure to draw a yellow card for Sales’ Johnson.
29’ the opposition pack in full flight at the moment and the blue and whites lose @Johnorugby10 to a yellow card @SaleFC 7 @ChinnorRugby 7 #salevchin
— Sale FC Rugby (@SaleFC) March 7, 2020
30’ serious altercation now as the ball takes an eternity to come out of the ruck and suddenly bodies are flying everywhere💥🥊 @SaleFC 7 @ChinnorRugby 7 #salevchin
— Sale FC Rugby (@SaleFC) March 7, 2020
The numerical advantage might have been telling but for a touch of skullduggery in the loose which resulted in a Sale penalty enabling them to relieve the pressure. The 14 men fought hard to keep the visitors at bay, until a penalty award enabled Chinnor to kick to within 10 metres of the Sale line. Now restored to 15 men, Sale were unable to contain the Chinnor pack, hooker Nick Selway scoring, May adding the extras on the stroke of half time.
HT @SaleFC 7 @ChinnorRugby 14 rapid start by the dogs but the visitors came more and more into the game as the half went on to lead #salevchin #onesalefc #Nat1
— Sale FC Rugby (@SaleFC) March 7, 2020
Sale closed the gap on 49 minutes as substitute hooker Juan Pablo Rivas broke clear in midfield, Jack Moorhouse in close attendance took the ball on and found Patrick Ah Van on the wing who dived over in the corner.
Sale continued to play expansive rugby, whenever possible, regaining the lead on 53 minutes, Moorhouse again at the heart of the action linking with To’a, supported by Johnson with a clear run to the posts converting his own try to take the score to Sale 19-Chinnor 14.
53’ TRY more fantastic play from @jack_moorhouse and Jeremy To’a releases @Johnorugby10 in acres of space to stroll in and then convert @SaleFC 19 @ChinnorRugby 14 #salevchin
— Sale FC Rugby (@SaleFC) March 7, 2020
60’ game finely balanced as we enter the last quarter @SaleFC 19 @ChinnorRugby 14 #salevchin
— Sale FC Rugby (@SaleFC) March 7, 2020
61’ MASSIVE hit from @tbrady14 on halfway to thwart a potential try scoring opportunity for the visitors 💥💥💥
— Sale FC Rugby (@SaleFC) March 7, 2020
Into the last quarter Sale extended their lead with a Johnson penalty but were soon down to 14 men when Pablo Rivas was yellow carded. Chinnor looking for a try to take the points spurned opportunities for 3 points. Sale, however had other ideas and superbly organised defence combined with a massive physical effort brought the home side a well-earned victory.
79’ time appears to be dead but the game goes on and the visitors have another attacking lineout @SaleFC 22 @ChinnorRugby 19 #salevchin
— Sale FC Rugby (@SaleFC) March 7, 2020
FT @SaleFC 22 @ChinnorRugby 19 unbelievable effort from the dogs to keep the high flying visitors at bay at the end and earn a huge win #salevchin #onesalefc #Nat1
— Sale FC Rugby (@SaleFC) March 7, 2020
Matchday Photos
Courtesy of Gareth Lyons- More Match photos here!
Post Match
Fantastic win for the @SaleFC dogs against an excellent & very big @ChinnorRugby Huge congratulations to @jack_moorhouse on reaching 250 games for FC, a great achievement from a lad who gives everything in the shirt. Not bad for a Mucky Ducky lad!! @nca_rugby #onesalefc #nat1
— Tote Howcroft (@Tote79) March 7, 2020
Thank you to @SaleFC for a great battle and your fantastic hospitality. We wish you all the best for the rest of the season
— Chinnor RFC (@ChinnorRugby) March 7, 2020