RFU Intermediate Cup Quarter Final
Sale F.C. 7 Northern F.C. 12
Despite a tenacious performance against high-flying Northern F.C. in the quarter final of the RFU Cup, Sale’s second half fight-back came up just short in their attempt to reach the semi-finals.
We started positively taking the game to the visitors and had a chance to take the lead after just four minutes, but Mike Raikes’ penalty went just wide of the posts. Northern used their pack to very good effect driving our eight back time and again with rolling mauls, although our defence was countering with some excellent tackling.
Mid way through the half the Northern captain David Kay looked to have gone over from short range, but excellent defensive work held the player up over the line. Most of the game was now being played in the home half, but we never flinched as we put up a solid defence. On 26 minutes Northern took the lead as their pack drove over from short range for second row Guthrie to touch down for the opening try.
From the restart Northern came back downfield to put pressure on us again but the defence was firm and it was not until the 34th minute that Northern extended their lead when after securing line out ball in our “22” their experienced pack drove prop Chris Stewart over for a try converted by Dan Clappison for a 12-0 lead at the break.
We had an early chance of points in the second half but a penalty went wide of the posts and Northern continued to dominate territory until a kick ahead from Tom Lucas saw the centre just miss out of the race for the ball.
Sale gradually came more into the match as we now played a more expansive game in an endeavour to get points on the board and despite a couple of chances, the Northern defence held firm and it was not until two minutes from the end that we finally scored a try through Rick Porter, superbly converted by Mike Raikes from wide out.
Unfortunately, there was little time available and as a last attack petered out we finished just short, but all credit to each member of the squad for their committed performance against a side who have only lost two games all season, scoring over 1000 points in the process.
Neil Thallon