1st XV Reports

Game / Date

Bowdon    3        Sale F.C.    24   22/09/07
Sale’s shortest away trip of the season ended in victory at Clay Lane last Saturday based on a solid first half performance, and excellent running in the final minutes of the game.
Both sides took time to settle in the opening minutes, but gradually Sale gained the upper hand and it was no surprise when, after good approach work, scrum half Tom Holloway darted through the home defence for the opening try on eight minutes.
Five minutes later further Sale pressure ended with Jack Moorhouse bursting through for the second unconverted try and a 10-0 lead. However, after creating a solid platform to launch further attacks on the home line, Sale became guilty of conceding too many penalties and allowed Bowdon back into the game although the hosts found it difficult to penetrate the Sale defence.
On the half hour with Bowdon attacking, an interception by Scott Morton on the visitors “22” metre line put Sale 50 metres downfield before Tom Bullough raced up in support to take the final pass and score under the posts and kick the conversion for a 17-0 lead at the break.
Bowdon finally had points on the board with a penalty in the first minute of the second half as Sale were penalised from the kick off, but from then on there was  little in the way of cohesive rugby from either side as play degenerated into a series of errors.
In the final minute with the home side pressing on the Sale “22” Bowdon lost possession allowing Sale to capitalise with quick ball down the backs and the move ended with Morton touching down for the final try of the afternoon, and Tom Bullough adding the conversion for a 21 point victory.

Neil Thallon.
 

Sale F.C.    11       Wigan     20  29/09/07
Another disappointing home performance by Sale saw visitors Wigan gain a deserved win at Heywood Road.
Sale opened brightly forcing the visitors deep into their “22” from the start and had points on the board with a Tom Bullough penalty after just three minutes. Sale should have extended their lead shortly after but, instead of using an overlap out wide, they opted to go back towards the posts and the Wigan defence repelled the chance of a Sale try.
This let-off seemed to give the visitors confidence and starting to take the game to Sale had the best of the exchanges in a ten minute spell approaching the mid-point of the half. Wigan took the lead they were never to relinquish on the half hour when strong running by Hogarth breached the Sale defence and the replacement centre touched down for a try converted by Whittle.
Wigan continued to dominate and Sale seemed to have no response as too often poor first time tackling let the home side down. It was no surprise when Wigan extended their lead with a try by De Lange just before the break.
Sale really needed to get into the match in the second half and started with a Bullough penalty to narrow the gap to just six points, however when it needed a determined effort there was no response and there was a complete lack of cohesive rugby with poor passing now added to the inconsistent tackling.
Whittle restored Wigan’s nine point advantage with a penalty on the hour and they extended their lead to 20-6 when wing forward Millward touched down for an unconverted try.
With the last play of the game Sale full back Dave Bolton touched down a kick ahead but the missed conversion from a comparatively easy position summed up Sale’s day.

 Neil Thallon.

 

Widnes   26        Sale F.C.    5  06/10/07 

The Sale performance at Widnes can best be described as “starting like a rocket, and ending like a damp squib”.
Sale opened superbly on three minutes with excellent inter-passing amongst the forwards driving possession deep into the home “22” before quick ball out to the backs saw Tom Bullough outpace the defence to score a try in the corner. However, that was the highlight of the afternoon for Sale as things deteriorated as the match went on.
Widnes started to use their pack to good effect and benefited with greater territorial advantage as the half progressed, and on 20 minutes the home side narrowed the gap and then took the lead from two penalties as Sale were caught offside on both occasions. With the first half drawing to a close Widnes pinned Sale into their own “22” and despite failing to score with the line at their mercy, corrected matters a minute later with a pushover try. In added time another Sale transgression resulted in a third successful penalty to give Widnes a 14-5 lead at half time.
Sale opened the second half slightly better than they closed the first but were unable to narrow the scores, and Widnes then extended their lead with their first real attack after the break when they raced through a gaping hole in the Sale defence for a second unconverted try.
The game tended to drift with neither side able to add to their points tally but with five minutes remaining Sale had a chance to narrow the gap but a fine move was ruled out on the Widnes line for a knock on. In the closing minute a loose pass from Sale was picked up by Widnes and the home side raced away to score under the posts and add the conversion.
Despite the excellent start to the match and the occasional flash of cohesive rugby,  generally Sale seem to have acquired a lethargic attitude to games this season and currently lack direction and the fire & passion necessary on the pitch to regularly win matches at this level. This has to change and change quickly if they are not to be floundering around the wrong end of the league table.

Neil Thallon

 

Sale F.C.    33     Anselmians  13   20/10/07

Sale gained a welcome first home league win of the season against a spirited Anselmians side at Heywood Road.
Sale had the better of the territory in the opening phases of the game, and on ten minutes quick ball down the backs released winger Mike Raikes for an unconverted try on his debut for the club. Immediately from the kick off Sale were penalised and Anselmians stand off Anthony Molloy narrowed the gap to just two points with a well struck penalty.
The second try of the afternoon came following excellent work by both forwards and backs as Sale penetrated deep into the visitors “22” and Tom Holloway broke through the defence for the try converted by Tom Bullough. Once again, within a couple of minutes of the restart Sale again transgressed and Molloy again kicked the penalty to reduce the  advantage to just six points.
Anselmians were getting back into the match and when Sale knocked on a penalty attempt by their own posts, had a chance to add to their score, but the danger was alleviated as the visitors were themselves penalised in the scrum. On the half hour mark a fine solo try and conversion by Bullough extended Sale’s lead to 19-6 at the break.
Anselmians had the better of the opening minutes in the second half but despite having a kickable penalty, were unable to add to their score and gradually Sale came back into the match.
The visitors failed to find touch with a clearance kick as Mike Goodwin collected the ball on the full and brushed off tackles with a determined run, and with excellent support from Mike McLeod and Jack Moorhouse it was the latter who finished off the move with a fine try under the posts converted by Bullough for a 26-6 lead.
For the third time Sale were penalised almost from the kick off, and a tap penalty by Molloy, caught Sale napping as he broke clean through the home defence to score under the posts and add the conversion.
Scoring was finally completed when Sale’s Scott Morton broke clean through the Anselmians defensive line from half way and sprinted in unopposed for the try, with Bullough adding the extras to complete a satisfactory afternoon for Sale.

Neil Thallon.

 

Wirral   20       Sale F.C.    10   27/10/07

A ten minute period either side of half time, with Sale reduced to 14 men, proved decisive as Wirral capitalised with three tries in the period to win an otherwise close encounter.
Sale started well having the better of the opening play and were rewarded when Wirral were penalised for not releasing, and Tom Bullough stepped up to kick neat 30 metre penalty.
The visitors continued to have the better of the match but lacked a cutting edge to breach the home defence, and Wirral were using deep kicks downfield to either relieve pressure or set up attacking options. On the half hour Wirral levelled the scores with a penalty, and minutes later were reduced to 14 after their second row was sin-binned for preventing release of the ball.
Sale had a golden chance to exert dominance over the depleted Wirral pack with a five metre scrum close to the home line but incredibly were out-scrummaged and the chance had gone. Sale then encountered the wrath of the official as they too had a forward sin-binned and this was to transform the scoring. With Wirral pressing down the left an over arm throw infield looked to be well forward, but instead of the whistle, a kick deep to the right hand corner caught Sale off guard and the Wirral winger scored the try with ease to give the home side an 8-3 lead at the break.
Sale certainly needed to respond positively early in the second half, but instead it was Wirral with the help of some poor Sale tackling who extended their lead in the first minute with a second try. Minutes later, to add insult to injury, Wirral recreated the cross field kick once more and scored again despite the recipient looking well offside, and with an excellent conversion from the touchline extended their lead to 20-3.
To their credit Sale responded well with good work from the pack and tended to dominate affairs. On 65 minutes following excellent pressure, Tom Bullough darted through the defence to score under the posts and kick the conversion to give Sale a slight chance of getting some thing out of the game, but despite further chances they could not add to their score.

Neil Thallon.
 

Sale F.C.    26         Aspull   17    03/11/07

Sale got their league record back on an even keel with this victory in an evenly contested match at Heywood Road against a committed Aspull side.
The visitors opened strongly and just missed with a penalty attempt after five minutes. From the resulting drop out Sale were penalised for being in front of the kicker and Aspull capitalised from the scrum by putting winger Speakman in at the corner for an unconverted try.
Sale had two golden chances to put points on the board, firstly a kick and chase by Tom Bullough looked to be a certain try until a wicked bounce foiled the Sale centre with the line at his mercy, and moments later with Sale deep in the Aspull "22" the final pass of a flowing move was intercepted and the danger cleared.
The visitors went further ahead midway through the half with a penalty from Reeve, but Sale responded with a superb break by new stand off Matthew Parry only for him to be caught a metre or so from the Aspull line. 
Sale now started to put in some consistent play and a pick up and drive by No. 8 Dai Pugh saw him cross for an unconverted try. With half time approaching a superb break from Tom Bullough and a well timed pass found Mike Goodwin to score a try converted by Bullough to give Sale the lead for the first time in the match.
Not for the first time this season Sale immediately conceded points after scoring themselves to bring Aspull back into the game with a second penalty from Reeve and leave the home side just one point ahead at half time.
Aspull regained the lead immediately after the break with a third Reeve penalty, but held the advantage only momentarily as outstanding work from a quick line out released the home backs and once again Goodwin was on hand for the try, converted by Bullough.
Reeve was successful with another Aspull penalty to narrow the gap to 19-17, before Sale cut loose with some excellent interpassing between forwards & backs and Andy Raw rounded off the move with a try, again converted by Bullough to put Sale two scores ahead.
Towards the end of the game matters became a little heated as each side had a player sin binned but Sale came out on top with a  better all-round performance than has been seen of late.

Neil Thallon.
 
Wilmslow 21      Sale F.C. 8. 10/11/07

The first ever league meeting between the two sides ended in a fifth defeat for Sale, and retained
Wilmslow's 100% record at the top of the table.
The home side had first advantage of a near gale blowing straight down the pitch and naturally
dominated territory for much of the first half. Sale were caught offside in the first five minutes and Wilmslow opened their account with an easy penalty, and with them averaging over 30 points per game it looked as though the visitors would find it tough going against the elements.
Wilmslow found it difficult to penetrate the Sale defence but midway through the half extended their lead with a further penalty before Sale finally managed to get into the home "22" for the first time in the match with just eight minutes remaining in the half.
The Sale pack were now coming into their own putting in some excellent cohesive play and were unlucky to see a well-worked "try" disallowed. Wilmslow were now under constant pressure for the first time in the match and when penalised Sale moved the ball quickly down the line and Moorhouse looked to have scored, only for the referee to deem the final pass forward and again the chance of points had gone.
On the stroke of half time Wilmslow extended their lead with a third penalty but now had to turn to face the elements.
It was evident that Sale had to score first in the second half but despite starting strongly, a breakout
by Wilmslow aided by poor tackling from Sale allowed the league leaders to score the first try of the game on 43 minutes and the successful conversion gave Wilmslow a 16-0 lead.
Sale came back well when excellent work by the pack laid the foundation for centre Tom Bullough to scythe through the home defence for an unconverted try, and five minutes later a well struck penalty from Matthew Parry halved Wilmslow's lead, and hopes glimmered of Sale getting something from the game.
There followed a period of sustained Wilmslow pressure and inexplicably Sale did not use the conditions to clear the danger with deep kicks downfield, but relied on the pack to gain ground. All hopes of Sale getting back on terms disappeared when a clearance kick in the dying minutes failed to find touch and Wilmslow capitalised by creating a try in the corner to complete the scoring.

Neil Thallon

 
Widnes 17 Sale F.C. 12. 17/11/07

Sale once again failed to progress past the 3rd Round of the EDF Energy Senior Vase for the third successive season losing a game in which they dominated for the most part, but were unable to turn this advantage into points.
They were not helped by conceding a try in the early minutes of the game when the failure to even attempt to tackle the ball carrier, allowed Widnes to open the scoring with a try excellently converted from close to the touchline.
Widnes had the better of the opening exchanges but eventually Sale began to impose themselves on the match and only good defensive work by Widnes prevented Sale from scoring. The game developed into an even contest with both sides looking for points and it was Widnes who extended their lead following a scrum on the Sale "22" as the ball was quickly released to allow them to crash over for their second try and a 12-0 lead.
The home side were reduced to 14 men when one of the Widnes forwards was sin-binned, and Sale took advantage when Matthew Parry collected his own chip over the defensive line to score under the posts and with Parry also adding the conversion, they were back in the match.
Sale were reduced to 14 men right on half time as Dai Pugh received a yellow card for interfering with play, but hopes were high at the break that a five point deficit could be overturned with the wind now in our favour in the second half.
The second half started appallingly for Sale as a clearance from the kick off failed to find touch and a Widnes prop barged through the Sale line and released the home winger in for an unconverted try to extend the lead to 17-7.
Time and again Sale were dominating territory but resolute Widnes defending kept Sale out and on a couple of occasions the ball was spilled when an overlap beckoned.
Sale were now playing almost all the rugby but errors at key moments prevented further scores and it was not until the closing minutes that Dom Fraternali returned from his own sin-binning to round off an excellent forward drive with a try, to narrow the gap to just five points.
Despite further pressure Sale could not create the third try which may have given them the all important win.

Neil Thallon.
 
Sale F.C. 50 v Ruskin Park 5. 24/11/07

Sale completed a comprehensive win against a visiting team playing with just thirteen men
from the kick off due to late arrivals.
Park had the first chance of points but a 25 metre penalty went wide of the posts, and Sale moved downfield and good interpassing between forwards and backs eventually released Tom Bullough into open space to touch down for the try and add the conversion for a 7-0 lead.
Just ten minutes had elapsed when a solo break by Andrew Baston ended with the hooker touching down and Bullough adding the conversion, and with the mid point of the half approaching, continued Sale pressure saw Jack Moorhouse put in a short kick and Andrew McIntee collected the loose ball to score Sale's third try, but this time Bullough's conversion attempt hit the upright.
The visitors were now restored to full numbers, but this had little bearing on the flow of the game as Sale continued to dominate and from a 5-yard scrum No. 8 Luke Ford touched down following a neat pick-up and drive, with Bullough adding the extras.
Five minutes before the break full back Mike Raikes fielded a clearance kick and strong running and good support from Moorhouse combined to find Andy Raw in close support to take the final pass for a deserved try, and with Bullough adding the extras Sale were 33-0 ahead at half time.
All credit must go to Ruskin Park, who never once lacked commitment and indeed had the better of the territory in the opening ten minutes of the second half. Sale had a number of chances to extend their lead, but once again careless passing or poor handling created their own problems and it was not until the hour mark when Tom Holloway broke from the base of the scrum to release Mike Ward that Sale extended their lead when the flanker burst over the line for an unconverted try.
Ruskin Park responded with a well-worked try of their own, before a second try for McIntee, and a Dom Fraternali touchdown converted by Bullough rounded off the scoring with ten minutes remaining.

Neil Thallon.
Vagabonds (IoM) 16 Sale F.C. 21. 01/12/07

Sale travelled to the Isle of Man and returned victorious having successfully overturned a sixteen point deficit from early in the second half.
The home side had the benefit of a near gale force wind at their backs in the first half, and whilst Sale had the better of the opening minutes of the game it was the Manxmen who took the lead with a 40 metre penalty by Beckley after Sale were penalised for not rolling away.
Two minutes later Beckley extended "Vagas" lead although Sale were defending well against a strong and well-organised home pack. On the half hour with "Vagas" some 30 metres from the Sale line, a blindside break from the base of the scrum caught the visitors off guard and the Vagabonds winger scored wide out on the right and Beckley added the extras with a superb kick from the touchline.
Vagabonds had a further chance five minutes from half time but on this occasion the penalty attempt went wide of the uprights to leave the Manxmen 13 points up at the break.
Sale would now have the benefit of the conditions in the second half, but it was "Vagas" who started the stronger moving deep into Sale territory using their pack to good effect and when Sale were again penalised in front of their own posts, the home side moved 16 points clear with another Beckley penalty.
At last, Sale started to gain benefit from the conditions as long kicks downfield put Vagabonds on the back foot deep into their own half, and the Sale backs put pressure on the home defence. Excellent play by Sale saw the ball quickly move down the back line to release Jack Moorhouse to touch down for a well worked try, superbly converted from wide out by Tom Bullough to narrow the gap to 7-16.
This try did wonders for Sale's confidence and just after the hour mark with a Sale scrum on the home "22", quick ball from Scott Morton saw Tom Bullough barge through the home defence to touch down under the posts and add the conversion to narrow the gap to just two points.
In gathering gloom and with just ten minutes remaining the deficit was overturned as a switch move at speed saw Moorhouse expose a gap in the home defence to touch down under the posts, and with Bullough adding the extras, Sale were ahead for the first time in the match.
In the closing minutes Vagabonds made strenuous efforts to retain possession by driving upfield but the Sale defence held firm and with a combination of deep kicks back into "Vagas" territory or long range penalty attempts Sale wound down the clock for a well-earned victory.

Neil Thallon.
 
Sale F.C. 5 Wilmslow 32. 15/12/07

Wilmslow's first visit to Heywood Road for 20 years was a highly successful day for the League leaders as they cemented their lead at the top of the table.
The visitors got off to a flier as a quick move down the backs on just five minutes ended with winger Hunter touching down and stand off McCallum kicking an excellent conversion from the touchline. Wilmslow maintained the pressure and within 20 minutes had added ten more points with a fine try by scrum half Mulchrone, and a conversion and penalty from McCallum.
To add to Sale's woes, the home side were reduced to 14 men as flanker Mike Ward received a sin-binning and Sale were gaining ground only by individual flashes of quality rather than imposing themselves as a unit on the opposition. An outstanding break by Dai Pugh brought Sale deep into the visitors "22" but Wilmslow were able to stop the momentum and in the closing minutes of the half McCallum imposed himself on the match with a penalty, and then a kick and chase downfield saw the stand off win the race for the touchdown, and added another conversion for a 27-0 lead at the break.
Wilmslow started the half with another flowing move as full back Day scored an unconverted try but despite the commanding lead the standard of play deteriorated and the visitors could add no further points to their tally.
Sale had Dai Pugh and Andrew Baston prominent with charging runs downfield and it was Pugh, with some ten minutes remaining, that put in an excellent break to allow Jack Moorhouse to take the final pass to round off a 60 metre move with an unconverted try.
Certainly, the most unwanted highlight of the match was the five yellow cards given to Sale players during the game and in the closing minutes they were reduced to just 12 men a situation that doesn't give the team any chance at all in such a competitive league as they are in.

Neil Thallon.
 
Aspull 0 Sale F.C. 30   05/01/08

After the disappointment of the last league game of 2007, Sale started the New Year in fine style with this excellent away victory at Aspull.
Sale had the advantage of a strong wind in the first half and used it to full advantage in the opening minutes driving deep into Aspull territory and with the home side being caught offside early on; Matthew Parry kicked a penalty from just outside the "22" to put Sale on the board after only three minutes.
Aspull responded well moving the ball upfield before Sale regained possession and used their pack to good effect to regain the momentum. A blind-side break by scrum half Tom Holloway
caught the home side unawares and the half back released winger Mikey Goodwin who used his pace and guile to race 50 metres down the left and sidestep the home full back to cross for an excellent try in the corner.
Sale were now using both teamwork and conditions to good effect maintaining almost continuous pressure on the Aspull side, and excellent work by the pack drove Sale well downfield before
releasing the ball out to Jack Moorhouse who raced in for the touchdown, and with Parry succeeding with an excellent conversion from wide out Sale were 15 points clear.
The visitors continued to pressure the home defence and as we reached the mid point of the half
Mike McLeod barged over from close range and with Parry adding the extras, Sale were maintaining a ratio of a point per minute.
Parry added a second penalty late on in the half to put Sale 25 - 0 ahead at the break, although it was clear that in the second half it would be Sale's turn to face the elements.
Indeed, the half opened as expected with Aspull on almost continuous attack deep into the Sale half for the first 15 minutes but the resolute defence of the visitors prevented the home team from making any inroads to the score.
Aspull varied their tactics between forwards and backs and whilst they handled the ball well in the difficult conditions, they had little in the way of incisive running to trouble the effective Sale tackling.
Sale gradually gained a foothold as the half progressed but it was not until the 70th minute that Sale added to their points tally. Again good work by the pack had put Sale in the Aspull "22" and once again the release of quick ball allowed Scot Morton to skip through the home defensive line for Sale's fourth try of the game and a very satisfactory start to 2008.

Neil Thallon.
 
Sale F.C. 28 Wirral 7. 19/01/08

Sale made it two wins out of two in 2008 with this excellent team performance, to overcome a determined Wirral side.
The visitors started well harassing Sale at every opportunity in the opening minutes, but Sale quickly picked up the pace of the game and on thirteen minutes with Wirral on the attack Matt Parry
intercepted a pass to race 60 metres to score under the posts and kick the conversion.
Despite the wet conditions the Sale handling by both forwards and backs was secure and both Dai Pugh at No. 8 and hooker Andrew Baston put in excellent breaks to trouble the Wirral defence, but unfortunately their efforts failed to extend Sale's lead. Approaching the half hour mark a combination of good work by the pack and a miss move in the backs released Mikey Goodwin to touch down in the corner for an unconverted try and a 12-0 lead.
With almost the last move of the half Wirral lost possession on the Sale 10 metre line and Chris Lillie picked up the ball and put in a 50 metre run before releasing the final pass to Mike Raikes for the full back to score the try for a 17 point advantage at the break.
Wirral had much of the play in the third quarter of the game but a resilient Sale defence held firm with fine tackling and well struck clearance kicks. On 65 minutes with Wirral caught offside Matt Parry kicked the penalty which took Sale past 3,000 league points since returning to League rugby in September 2002.
Almost from the restart Sale moved swiftly onto attack and a kick and chase by Chris Lillie ended prematurely as the speedy winger was tackled from behind without the ball and Parry added a second penalty.
The visitors finally got points on the board when winger White touched down for a try converted by Craig Harvey, but with just ten minutes remaining this was too little too late. Wirral ended the match with 14 men following Harvey being yellow carded and Sale completed the scoring in the final minute with fine work leading to a second try for Mikey Goodwin.
All in all probably Sale's best all-round performance of the season.

Neil Thallon
 
Anselmians 16 Sale FC 15 26/01/08

Sale had enough chances to win this game by a handsome margin, yet finished second best
in a tightly contested affair on the Wirral. A decision early in the second half to decline a kickable chance in favour of a tap penalty proved decisive as second from bottom Anselmians secured only their fourth win of the season.
The home side started well with a try and conversion from wide out, but it wasn't long before Sale put Anselmians under pressure. A half break and kick ahead from Jack Moorhouse allowed Chris Lillie to use his pace to good effect, but just as it looked as though Sale had a certain score a knock on almost on the line turned success on its head.
Sale were not to be denied as an outstanding break by Moorhouse, who was constantly troubling the home defence, released Scott Morton to cross for an unconverted try; and at the mid point of the half Sale gained the lead for the first time when Anselmians were caught offside and Morton kicked the penalty for an 8-7 lead.
Whilst Sale were now causing the home team problems with the pace and power of their running, and gaining the edge in the match they were unable to convert this advantage into points. A minute before half time Sale were penalised for going over the top and Anselmians regained the lead with a penalty to be 10-8 in front at the break.
Anselmians kicked a 2nd penalty at the start of the second half, but Sale responded well with a fine try from Lillie and conversion from Morton to lead 15 –13.
With Sale attacking from the restart we arrived at what was to be the defining moment of the match. Sale had a simple chance to extend their lead to five points, but inexplicably declined this in favour of the tap and run which came to nothing. The home side then went down the pitch and when Sale were deemed to be offside, Anselmians regained the decisive one point advantage with a well struck penalty into the wind.
Sale had chances to grab victory particularly when the home side were reduced to 14 men with some 12 minutes remaining, but with a mix of poor options, over elaboration on occasion, and a missed penalty the chance of two additional league points had gone.

Neil Thallon
 
Sale FC 34 Widnes 5 09/02/08

Sale gained a well deserved and comprehensive victory over a Widnes side that had already
beaten them in both league and cup fixtures earlier in the season.
The opening ten minutes saw both sides wanting to play an expansive game on a perfect afternoon
for open rugby, and this was underlined by a dazzling 50 metre run from debutant Nick Wilding on Sale's right wing. Unfortunately, the first attempt was stopped by an excellent Widnes tackle, but it was not long before Wilding had points on the board. With Sale deep in the visitors "22" , quick ball down the backline released the winger to cross for a try, superbly converted by Mike Raikes from wide out to give Sale a 7 – 0 lead.
Having gained the initial advantage, Sale kept up the pressure and only a combination of solid tackling and deep clearance kicks prevented further scoring until the half hour mark when Raikes, who was having an excellent game in the unaccustomed position of stand off, added a penalty when Widnes were caught offside.
With half time approaching the visitors again transgressed and a second Raikes penalty put Sale thirteen points ahead, before Widnes winger Kevin Leadbetter touched down for their only points of the match to narrow Sale's lead to just eight points at the break.
Sale were in no mood to allow Widnes back into the match in the second period and excellent breaks by Chris Lillie and Dave Bolton in the opening minutes of the half ensured Sale had the better of territorial advantage.
With the hour mark approaching, excellent forward power from the pack drove the visiting eight over their own line for No. 8 Lee Parkinson to score his first try for the club and again Raikes added the conversion.
Widnes never gave up and a combination of strong running, well defended by Sale, and deep kicks
to clear the danger ensured that the home side had to work for their points. With under ten minutes remaining and following strong Sale pressure, Dave Bolton broke through the defence to score a well worked try converted by Scott Morton, and in the dying minutes Ryan Parkinson making his first 1st XV appearance of the season scored Sale's fourth try and Morton finished off the scoring with a well struck conversion.

Neil Thallon
 
Wigan 15 Sale FC 13. 16/02/08

Sale started this match in the best possible way with a try direct from the Wigan kick off, and in less than twenty seconds Mike Goodwin touched down in the corner after the ball passed through eight pairs of hands.
Wigan then came back strongly using their pack to good effect and levelled the scores on ten minutes with a driving maul. Sale were only getting occasional possession as the home side dominated matters but neither side could gain a grip on the match and despite a surfeit of Wigan possession the scores remained level to half time.
We were now facing a slight breeze and only minutes into the second period we lost possession allowing Wigan to move downfield and after a short period of pressure the home side found a gap in the Sale defence to score a second try, this time well converted from wide out for a 12 – 5 lead.
Sale narrowed the gap when Wigan were caught offside in their own half and Mike Raikes was successful with the penalty from 35 metres, but within two minutes a Sale transgression gave the seven point advantage back Wigan.
We were now having greater possession and with it much better of the play and started to put Wigan under pressure but the home side defended well to repel the Sale attacks.
With the match slowly drawing to a close excellent handling saw Jack Moorhouse race in for a try to put just two points between the sides but unfortunately the conversion went wide. From the restart we again attacked but a breakout by Wigan saw play quickly move toward the Sale line, but the home sides chance to secure the game went begging with a knock on just yards from the line.
In a frenetic last seven minutes Sale repeatedly ran the ball to secure the winning try, turning down two long range penalty attempts in the process, but could just not find a way through the home defence to secure a valuable win. The disappointment etched on the Sale players' faces was countered by looks of sheer relief from the Wigan players as the final whistle blew.

Neil Thallon
 
Sale F.C. 42 Bowdon 21. 01/03/08

Both sides ignored the windy conditions to produce an open game of rugby containing all the
necessary ingredients for a keenly contested local derby.
Bowdon started well and with the strong wind at their backs had the better of the opening quarter establishing a 6-0 lead through two penalties from stand-off Brian Capewell. Sale gradually got into the match with some strong running from the forwards and backs with Jack Moorhouse well to the fore. The visitors were regularly conceding penalties and on 25 minutes Mike Raikes narrowed the gap for Sale with a well taken penalty, and within a minute of each other two Bowdon players were yellow carded to give Sale a distinct numerical advantage.
On the half hour Moorhouse levelled matters with a drop goal and two minutes later produced a decisive break which was rounded off with Raikes touching down for the try. With five minutes remaining in the half further strong running from Sale produced a second try for Raikes to extend Sale's lead to 16 – 6.
Not to be outdone Bowdon, now restored to 15 players, came back well with two tries in the closing minutes of the half the first following a strong run from Capewell, and the second from Damian Mei converted by Capewell gave the visitors an 18-16 lead at half time.
Sale needed to start well in the second period, but it was Capewell who extended Bowdon's lead with his third penalty of the afternoon. Sale levelled matters when Chris Lillie was deliberately tripped when certain to score and the referee had no option but to penalise the visitors and award Sale a penalty try.
Sale were now beginning to dominate affairs with Jack Moorhouse regularly causing problems for the Bowdon defence and on the hour Sale were rewarded for continued pressure when Chris Lillie touched down for a try superby converted from the touchline by Raikes.
The home side extended their lead after good work from the pack as Dai Pugh burst over from short range for the try converted by Raikes to put Sale 35-21 ahead.
The match finished when, with both sides down to 14 men, a Bowdon clearance kick failed to find touch and Lillie used his pace and sidesteps to good effect by carving his way through the visiting defence for his second try and Raikes added the conversion for a comprehensive win.

Neil Thallon.
 
Burnage 10 Sale F.C. 0. 08/03/08

Despite a promising start, Sale were unable to turn first half possession into points and the hosts consolidated their league position in a tight game played in poor conditions.
Sale had the better of the opening quarter gaining greater possession than was anticipated playing against the elements but whilst there was plenty of expansive play, too often the effective Burnage defence shut the door on scoring chances.
The hosts came more into the game as the half progressed and following strong running by the Burnage backs it seemed that they must score but and excellent tackling from Sale bundled the runner into touch. From the resulting lineout Sale secured possession and drove the Burnage pack out to the “22” before clearing the danger.
However the home side were not to be denied and five minutes from the break, after a period of sustained pressure, Burnage crossed for a converted try, and extended their lead to 10 points with a penalty on the stroke f half time.
Sale now turned round with the elements in their favour and hopes were high that we could get something out of the game. However, we were not effective enough in using the conditions to our benefit and too often resorted to the running game out of defence when a deep kick downfield in wet and windy conditions may have been more productive.
As the half progressed Sale found it more difficult to create any effective attacks, and whilst they were secure in defence it was clear that Burnage were gaining a stranglehold on the match and tight and effective play by the home pack saw the home side through to victory.

Neil Thallon
 
Sale F.C. 21 Hoylake 10. 29/03/08

A two try burst by Sale in as many minutes mid-way through the first half was the deciding factor
in this match played in difficult conditions.
Both sides had identical records coming into the game but it was Sale who had slightly the better of the opening fifteen minutes culminating in a Liam Reeve penalty to put them 3-0 ahead. Minutes later fine inter-passing by both forwards & backs ended with winger Nick Wilding rounding off the move with an excellent try to increase the margin to eight points.
Directly from the restart Sale counter-attacked again and Wilding put in an excellent 50 metre run down the left before releasing the ball to supporting runners who maintained the pressure on the visitors’ scrambling defence and Andrew Baston was eventually driven over for the try, excellently converted from wide out by Reeve.
After Sale’s scoring burst, the game became more even and Hoylake, who have had excellent wins against the top two sides in the league this season, came back well and following a period of pressure on the Sale line scored a try through lock forward Phil Jones, converted by fly half Steve Young to narrow the gap to 15-7.
With only minutes remaining in the half Young was again on target with a penalty for the visitors as Sale were penalised to narrow the gap to just five points at the break.
In the opening minutes of the second half Reeve added a second penalty for Sale, but again Hoylake responded strongly but good defensive work by Sale repelled the danger. Mid-way through the half the persistent rain turned into a monsoon and both sides struggled to put together any cohesive play in such conditions but further Hoylake pressure was only relieved by an excellent 40 metre clearance kick from Scott Morton.
Reeve added a third penalty on 65 minutes to extend lead Sale’s to 11 points, but despite their best efforts neither side could add any further scores as the hosts moved clear of Hoylake in the league.

Neil Thallon.