Two points turns to one as Sale suffer late defeat

Sale headed to Hertfordshire for their final away game of the 2023/24 season to take on relegation-threatened Bishops Stortford.

Playing in their change strip of all black, Sale started the game well and were soon in front when Cal Ford made a half-break before offloading perfectly for fellow prop, Ben Carlile, to cross the whitewash; James Robins made no mistake from the tee. 0-7

With the ref allowing play to flow, both sides looked to attack with the ball in hand and Sale extended their lead in the 32nd minute when Dan Leake made valuable yards to set up full debutant, Will Hitchen, for his first ever 1st XV try. HT 0-12

Having lost Nick Gray to a yellow card just before the break, the hosts made the most of their numerical advantage early in the second half as they levelled the scores with tries from Alex Rayment and James Ayrton. 12-12

Undaunted, the Dogs came again and re-took the lead in the 60th minute when, following a tap penalty, Will Riley crashed over the line; James Robins was on target again.12-19

Back came the home side to level matters just a few minutes later with a strong driving maul, the try converted by Tom Walker. 19-19

Both sides have opportunities and field positions to win the game but, with time in the red, the hosts were awarded a penalty 25m out and Tom Walker was adjudged to have kicked it {some doubt, even from home supporters!). FT 22-19

A much better performance from the Dogs but only a solitary point to show for it. All eyes now turn to the final game of the season on the 27th April when we take on Leicester Lions.

Titans topple Sale but Dogs survive

Both Sale and Taunton headed into this late season game searching for points in their bids to ensure their survival in National One.

The “Dogs” started the better of the two and took the lead in the 8th minute when Tom Brady was the beneficiary of good play from Oskar Hirskyj-Douglas and Matt Bradley, diving over in the corner. 5-0

The visitors responded almost immediately through winger, Oscar Stewart, before Sale retook the lead with a try out wide from Nick Gray; James Robins adding a fine conversion. 12-5

Back came the Titans again, Samuel Prior making a superb break before Charlie Wright scythed through the massed ranks; Louis Sinclair kicked the extras. 12-12

The topsy-turvy nature of the game continued as Sale’s Fergus Mulchrone bullied his way over the whitewash, only for Ratu Vakalutukali to level matters and Sinclair to put the visitors in front for the first time. 17-19

Crucially, with half-time approaching, the Titans extended their advantage as Wright grabbed his second and Sinclair made it 3 kicks from 4. HT 17-26

Sale looked to have snatched the momentum back at the start of the second half as Matt Bradley bundled over from a quick tap penalty but, not for the first time, the Titans went straight up the other end and scored from a fine Vatalutukali run. 22-31

A penalty kick from Sinclair left Sale with plenty of work to do and their cause was not aided with the loss of replacement, Tristan Woodman, to a yellow card in the 66th minute.

The visitors took full advantage of the extra man with a converted try from Oliver Schuster-Wood and, despite a late try from James Robins, they held on for a deserved bonus point win. FT 27-41

The only consolation for the “Dogs” was the 4-try bonus point which secured their National One status for another season.

 

Entertainment galore at Heywood Road as Sale defeat Moseley

High-flying Birmingham Moseley headed North looking for a fifth straight league success against a Sale side whose own winning run had come to an end the previous week.

The visitors started the stronger and were soon in front when fly half, Tighe Maxwell-Whiteley, benefited from a charge down to make his way over the try line and then convert. 0-7

Moseley were looking dangerous with the ball in hand with centre, Oli Allsopp, particularly prominent, but the Dogs worked their way into the game and reduced the arrears on 20 minutes when Tom Curtis made no mistake with a penalty kick from directly in front of the posts. 3-7

Two minutes later the blue and whites took the lead as winger, Tom Brady, picked up a knock on in midfield and raced in from 40 metres; Curtis added the extras. 10-7

The situation worsened for the Midlanders in the 25th minute when prop, David Langley, was shown a yellow card, Tom Curtis making no mistake with the resulting penalty. 13-7

A few minutes later the hosts took full advantage of their numerical superiority, keeping the ball alive superbly before the returning Fergus Mulchrone offloaded for debutant, Tom Burrow, to side step the tackler and make it to the whitewash; Curtis again on target. 20-7

With half-time in sight, Moseley reduced the arrears with a well taken try from winger, Aquile Smith, after good work from Allsopp and Maxwell-Whiteley made no mistake with the conversion. HT 20-14

The away side began the second 40 in similar fashion to the first and were soon back in front when scrum half, Freddie Painter, forced his way to the line after a quick tap penalty; Maxwell-Whiteley slotted the kick. 20-21

Undaunted, back came the Dogs to retake the lead with a try from their own scrum half, Matt Bradley, who sniped down the side of a ruck to score before Curtis continued his fine afternoon from the tee. 27-21

The tit for tat nature of the scoring continued, Moseley fashioning a try from short range through the impressive Allsopp with Maxwell-Whiteley also continuing his perfect afternoon with the boot. 27-28

With just over 10 minutes to play, Curtis edged the Dogs in front with a straightforward penalty before Oskar Hirskyj-Douglas scored the try of the afternoon, dancing his way to the line after superb hands in the backs; Curtis made it 7 kicks from 7. 37-28

With time in the red, the visitors were awarded a penalty and Maxwell-Whiteley opted for the posts to secure a deserved second bonus point. FT 37-31

A terrific game of rugby between two sides who went at it hammer and tong all afternoon with the Dogs securing an impressive bonus point win.