South Lancs & Cheshire Division 1
Sale F.C. 27 Glossop 13
Fourteen points in the final ten minutes for the home side won this first ever match between the Clubs.
Glossop were on the scoreboard after only three minutes with a try from short range by second rower Thompson, but Sale responded quickly when Jody Pryor finished off a flowing move two minutes later with a try in the corner.
The visitors were reduced to 14 men when their captain was yellow carded for foul play and Sale took advantage as Dave Blackwell touched down for his first try for the Club to put the hosts 10-5 ahead.
The match was mainly being played in the visitors half but a break by centre Zak Round put Glossop into the Sale “22”, although any chance of a score evaporated following a poor kick. Both sides were reduced to 14 men after a fracas between Sale’s Garry Blanchard and Glossop’s Josh Edwards, and pressure from the visitors late in the half came to nothing as James Kidston put in an excellent stop, regaining possession in the process, and clearing the danger.
The Derbyshire side narrowed the gap to two points early in the second half with a penalty from Round, but the game then drifted with neither side able to dominate territory or possession. On the hour, Carwyn Williams put Sale further ahead with a penalty from in front of the posts, before Glossop levelled matters with a try from winger Simon Cassell with ten minutes remaining.
This score ignited the spark previously lacking in Sale’s play as the home side pressed the visitors’ line with determination, and following a scrum deep in the “22” flanker Llion Jones picked up possession and barged over for a try converted by Williams. With the final play of the game a poor clearance from Glossop went directly to Jack Moorhouse who used his pace to switch play and link up with his backs allowing replacement Mike Thiele to outpace the defence for a try and with Williams adding the extras Sale were home and dry.
Neil Thallon