Category: News

Rosslyn Park Match Preview

A vital game for The Dogs as they take on quality outfit Rosslyn Park. Fighting on either spectrum of the table- We push for a top 5 whilst Park look up to secure a top spot.

Jonathan Keep announces the squad ahead of this anticipated thriller

SATURDAY- 18th JAN 2020

The Rock | Rosslyn Park | London
Sale FC 33 v 14 Canterbury RFC – National League D1 – 11th January 2020, Heywood Road, Sale, Greater Manchester, United Kingdom, (Credit Image: Gareth Lyons for Sale F.C. 2020)

Last week began a regeneration of form as The Dogs seemed to enjoy their run out against Canterbury. An impressive team try finished off by Matt Bradley made NCA’s ‘Try of the week’ as well as racking up 40k views on England Rugby’s Twitter!

Great to see the lads appreciated for their efforts- a brilliant try!

A dominant display last weekend will certainly help with squad morale heading into a huge game against 3rd-placed Rosslyn Park. The dogs will need to be firing again this week to produce some more quality.

Tote Howcroft, Head Coach- gave his thoughts ahead of the game:

“Saturday sees another journey down the M6 to the capital, where we face a talented and very well coached Rosslyn Park team- who sit only 3 points off the top of the table.

We go there on the back of a good 5 point win against Canterbury, but if we are honest, last Saturday was a long way off a complete 80-minute-performance.

We showed some glimpses of real quality in the first half, which included Matt Bradley’s NCA try of the week, a fantastic team try. However, we will need to go up a few gears this Saturday if we are to challenge a team with title ambitions- looking to bounce back from a London Derby defeat at Blackheath last week.

We look forward to the challenge of ‘The Rock’ this week with the hope of avenging our home defeat back in October.”

6 changes have been made to the squad with this week. The forwards however, remain unchanged with Juan Pablo Rivas returning back to the squad after an injury spell. He’s joined by Dan Matthews, John Blanchard Jr and Stone Priestley-Nangle all eager to continue their form off the bench to make a difference to an important game.

The Backs feature few changes, with positions mainly changing. Patrick Ah Van comes off his favoured left wing into the Centres alongside Jack Moorhouse who starts at 13 this week. Jonty Rawcliffe remains on the right wing with Anthony ‘Bingo’ Bingham returning to the left. Emiliano Calle Rivas starts this week at fullback after impressing off the bench against Canterbury. Chris Owen returns to the bench hoping to also make an impact.

Tom Brady and Fergus Mulchrone remain sidelined with injuries whilst James Williams starts at 12 again for the Sharks this weekend against Glasgow Warriors. We wish him all the best.

1st team Captain, Andy Hughes has said:

“We are expecting a tough game when we travel down to London this weekend.

Rosslyn Park are a class outfit and are sitting 3rd in the table. They were beaten by Blackheath last week so we are expecting reaction from them as they fight for promotion. But, we have worked hard in training all this week in order to meet this challenge.

We go in with no pressure on us and if we perform well then we back ourselves to get a result.”

Stay up-to-date this weekend with Park’s Live Stream!

Old Elthamians Match Report

Old Elthamians 28-21 Sale FC

4th Jan 2020

Too little to late a familiar tale, as Sale miss out.

 

This encounter was always expected to be physical with both teams residing either side of the table. Old Elthamians (OE) aim to push towards a top 5 whilst Sale look to generate some momentum in the new year.

The game produced what was expected on paper; with Old Elthamians coming out fast putting Sale under pressure from the get go. Well matched and perfect conditions with a fierce game ahead.

11” Sale continuously suffer from heavy pressure with the defense gasping after minutes of try-line defense, before an OE forward finds their way to the line, under the sticks, 11 minutes in.

15” Sale begin to generate some possession of the own with a Chris Johnson break most notable, putting OE on the back foot, but, nonetheless OE return well building possession again. A resulting penalty from an isolated ruck provides OE the opportunity to clear their lines. The subsequent line-out generates a well-executed move & chip kick to which Anthony Bingham reacts quickest, leaving OE inches from scoring.

20” Sale still on the back foot from the dot down with OE making a few crafty breaks, before The Dogs reciprocate some craft of their own. As Patrick Ah Van perfectly offloads to Fergus Mulchrone steaming down the center of the park who pins his ears back to finish off an exciting phase of play.

30” Momentum has certainly shifted in FC’s favor as they continue to hold possession and territory

OE 7-7 FC

But, the tale of this game gifts OE opportunity after opportunity to generate some phases, putting the Sale defence under threat, a quick shift with 5 minutes remaining of the half.

35” Good line-out defense from The Dogs leaves Elthamians after a physical maul, held up, without points.

Yet OE continue to build pressure as a generous cross field pops up for the winger to collect- Sale on the back foot- as play is shaped to the opposite end, fast hands leaves a gap in the middle of the park which is exploited- Try Scored Elthamians.

HT 14-7

44” A rocky start as Sale find themselves depleted, after an unexpected break from the Scrum-Half, making his own luck as he accelerates away, scoring under the sticks from a scrum at halfway.

OE 21-7 FC

Sale look the lesser on the scoreboard, despite a heavily contested game. A few thrills leaves them trailing.

48” OE continue to mount pressure 5m out from the line, but, gritty FC defense leaves them empty handed on this occasion.

58” An exciting game in between phases. With more to be added as an Elthamian prop finds himself in unfamiliar territory- on the end of a well delivered long pass as he touches down in the corner.

OE 28-7 FC

62” It’s all to fight for as Sale shape to the corner- as they are rewarded with some line-out expertise. A well-shaped line-out move leaves hooker Ollie Longmore free in the corner to dot down.

Possession and territory constantly changing hands, as the game heads towards an exciting ending.

70” Sale continue their thrill with possession, mounting pressure in an intense last 10, hopeful of more opportunity. Another penalty is sent to the corner, with the forwards’ expertise still fresh. A well delivered maul and resulting pick & go’s leave OE scrambling as Jake Pope finds the white wash from a meter out.

An exciting end to the game with Sale hopeful of a comeback as emotions turn sour with a few handbags thrown in the dying moments of the game-a fitting end to an aggressive encounter.

Sale FC unfortunately suffer the familiar tale of too little too late as they miss out on a win on the road. Not the ideal way to start a new decade, but certainly exciting looking ahead to the rest of the season.

 

FT

 Old Elthamians 28-21 Sale FC

 

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Looking Ahead…Our Next Home Game.

@ Heywood Rd.

 

Sale FC vs Canterbury

Sale FC Rugby
National One

 

Highlights soon to come!

In the mean time, check out our Youtube Page!