Tag: #National1

Sale FC 5 Cambridge 24

Sale FC’s season finale ends on a losing note as Cambridge produce the great escape at the CorpAcq Stadium.

Matt Bradley in action against Cambridge (c) Mark Ferriss Photography

With Sale FC’s season finale being one where the home side had already secured their future in National League One in only their first season in the league, today’s game was always going to be more about the visitors Cambridge, and whether or not they could escape the relegation battle that they had become a part of during the second half of the season.

Knowing that the bottom two had already gone, these being Esher Rugby and Loughborough Students respectively, it was going to go down to the wire with three sides, namely Caldy, Birmingham Moseley and Cambridge, who occupied the final relegation place all going into battle knowing a five point win would allow them to survive.

The game was barely three minutes old when Cambridge Centre James Ayrton, was able to latch on to a pass from brother Michael, who had run around the oncoming Sale defence before putting his brother in to the right of the posts, therefore giving the visitors the lead and Fly Half Ben Penfold the opportunity to add the extras in the opening exchanges of the match.

Now that the visitors had taken a seven point lead in the match, Sale were looking to try and get back in the match with a number of attacking possessions that didn’t really come off, due to either sloppy passing or the ball being knocked on in terribly wet conditions.

With the weather playing a large part in the afternoon’s proceedings, Sale struggles continued especially when they had been awarded an advantage, leading to a lineout close to the Cambridge 10m line. Unfortunately, Briggs couldn’t find his man and the advantage was seemingly lost.

Rhys Davies reaches new heights against Cambridge (c) Mark Ferriss Photography

On 13 minutes, the visitors managed to score again as Sale coughed up possession once more, leading to Cambridge’s Penfold putting in a cross field kick that Robbie Povey missed, allowing winger Mike Ayrton to go over in the corner unattended. With Penfold missing the extras here, Cambridge now had a lead that they wouldn’t lose even though Sale never ever gave up.

Even though the next 20 minutes saw possession change hands at regular intervals, it was Sale who went into half time very much on the up, as they created a plethora of scoring chances, which they weren’t able to convert, mainly due to some resolute defending from the visitors, but also the fact that they were able to infringe at regular intervals at the breakdown.

With five minutes to go, the infringements by Cambridge were punished as the referee gave Cambridge Flanker Ciaran Moore a yellow card for repeat offences. From this advantage Sale went to the corner giving them their third 5m line out in a row, from here Sale built a great platform leading to Prop Simon Griffiths the chance to rumble over in his final appearance for Sale FC.

Going in to the break, Sale had reduced the arrears to seven points and got the wind in their sails. At the start of the second half, Sale tried hard to make the man advantage count some more, but unforced errors lead to them coughing up possession in valuable areas, providing the visitors with further chances to extend their lead.

Tom Ailes on the run against Cambridge (c) Mark Ferriss Photography

Something that they did in the 47th minute, when the returning Moore latched on to a rolling maul set up from their own lineout throw, meaning that the visitors lead was up to 12 points, and the chance to survive the National League One relegation battle becoming more apparent.

At this time however regardless of the latest score, the visitors were going to be relegated as the closest side to them Caldy were beating the other potential relegation candidates Birmingham Moseley by ten points to seven with only 15 minutes to go in the game.

For the next 30 minutes, this game seemed to go into an almost stalemate, with neither side being able to get any real grip on a game, that was fast becoming increasingly error strewn as the weather seemed to affect both sides, even though there were opportunities available as they regularly attacked each other’s halves of the field.

However, there was one final twist yet to come, as on 76 minutes replacement Winger Sam Yawayawa was provided with an opportunity to score in the corner, giving the visitors the five points that they so desperately needed to stay in National League One, therefore relegating our Cheshire neighbours Caldy down in to National Two South from next season.

Even though the afternoon’s result didn’t go the way of Sale FC, they can be safe in the knowledge that they will be playing National League One rugby next season, especially after the pre-season predictions from the national journalists said that “Sale FC would be certain relegation candidates in their first season of National One rugby”.

To watch the highlights of Saturday’s game please follow the link here

Sale FC v Cambridge

Team Line up for tomorrow’s game against Cambridge Rugby

Saturday afternoon sees Sale FC Rugby play our last National League One game of the season against Cambridge Rugby.

The day is a celebration of rugby, with the Minis and Juniors having their awards presentation in the morning, followed by the first team game, before the Men’s, Women’s and Under 16’s sides have their awards presentation in the evening.

With Sale FC now mathematically safe from the relegation battle, it is sure to be a fantastic day of rugby for all involved. However, our visitors sit just inside the relegation zone and will therefore be looking to escape from the grasps of relegation and National League Two South for next season.

We look forward to seeing you at the CorpAcq Stadium, where there will be a barbecue on for all fans, with a parade at half time for all the minis and juniors to participate in.

Admission to the game is as follows: Adults £10, Concessions £8 and Children U16’s FREE.

Matt Bradley Overjoyed that rugby is back

Season Finale Sat 27th April

This Saturday, Sale FC play against Cambridge Rugby in the season finale.

Sale FC Rugby v Cambridge – Saturday 27th April (c) Sale FC Rugby

On Saturday 27th April, Sale FC Rugby play host to Cambridge Rugby in their season finale to their first campaign in National League One.

With the blue and whites future in National League One almost certainly secured for another season, the visitors Cambridge still have it all to play for as they sit perilously above the relegation zone going into the final round of the season.

After their first meeting on the opening day of the season, where both sides played out a 36-36 draw down at Cambridge, it is sure to go down to the wire this time around with Sale FC Rugby having home advantage over their Southern opponents.

With the season drawing to a close on Saturday afternoon at the CorpAcq Stadium, it will also see post match the End of Season Awards Dinner taking place at the club, where players will receive such accolades as Player of the Season and Player’s Player of the Season. Additionally, there will also be the first awards ceremony for the 1861 Womens team.

To join in these celebrations at the club on Saturday evening contact Functions Manager here for your tickets. Tickets for the event are priced at £10 per person.

Admission for the game on Saturday is as follows: Adults £10, Concessions £8 and Children U16 FREE.

For more information about the game this Saturday please keep an eye on the club website and social media for more details.

Ampthill 57 Sale FC 12

Amps Dominate Sale Outscoring The Visitors nine tries to two at Dillingham Park writes Warren Kay, Ampthill Senior Rugby Publicity Officer

Neil Briggs throwing in at the lineout to Sale Captain Andy Hughes (c) Ampthill Rugby

After going behind to an early try Ampthill dominated the game scoring 9 tries and leaving several more on the park.

From the kick off Sale retained the ball well showing good structure to move the ball deep into Amps territory. A sweeping move through the hands from left to right saw a fine unconverted try scored in the right corner on 5 minutes by centre Moorhouse.

A’s took the game away from the visitors with 5 tries before half time. Wing Sam Baker scored a brace with two good finishes (8 minutes, 16) from open play. Scrum half Kevin Barrett sniped on 21 minutes from a red zone breakdown before Baker celebrated his hat trick on 25 minutes. Centre Ollie Morris to completed the scoring for the half after he was in support to receive the final pass in the 38th minute. Full back James Pritchard, playing the penultimate game of his illustrious 19 year career, converted all Baker’s tries leaving the score 31-5 at oranges.

The second half was more of the same with the home side adding 4 more tries through fly half Josh Sharp (47, 75), replacement hooker Syd Blackmore (51) and replacement scrum half Euan McKirdy (73). Pritchard adding the extras for all but Blackmore’s.

In between the 57th minute saw a fine try from Sale’s centre Dunn, converted by fly half Povey.

The hosts were in control in the tight and the loose while the defence held a concerted second half effort from the visitors whose heads never dropped.

Old Elthamians managed a bonus point win away at Bishop’s Stortford which forces the title fight to go down to the wire of the last round of fixtures. Ampthill need 1pt against Loughborough on April 27th to secure promotion to the Championship!

Head Coach Paul Turner comments “A pleasing performance, especially after the poor second half at Moseley the week before. We played some good football against a committed side but let a chance or two go begging. Our defence was good in the second half and both half backs had excellent games.”

Ampthill
Tries:- Baker (8,16,25), Barrett (21), Morris (38), Sharp (47, 75), Blackmore (51), McKirdy (73)
Conversions:- Pritchard (9, 17, 26, 48, 74, 76)

Sale
Tries:- Moorhouse (5), Dunn (57)
Conversions:- Povey (58)

Half Time:- Ampthill 31 Sale 5
Referee:- Mr James Clarke
Attendance:- 882
Man of the Match:- Josh Sharp, Ampthill

Sale FC Rugby v Plymouth Albion

Here is Saturday’s team announcement for the National One game against Plymouth Albion.

Team for Saturday’s game against Plymouth Albion at the CorpAcq Stadium (c) Photos Courtesy of Sale FC Rugby and Leo Wilkinson @Esher Rugby

This Saturday Sale FC Rugby play against National League One rivals Plymouth Albion in the penultimate home game of the season. With everything still to play for in terms of relegation, Sale are looking to bounce back after defeat by bottom side Esher Rugby last weekend.

From the team last weekend there are a number of changes to the side that faced Esher, including the return of Neil Briggs after his playing ban to the Hooker role. There is also a return to the starting line up for Emiliano Calle Rivas and Ed O’Keeffe to the Fly Half and Wing positions respectively.

For more team news, please use the following link here

Sale hit fifth gear against Chinnor.

Sale FC Rugby secured a five point victory over the visitors Chinnor Rugby in a fine display at the CorpAcq Stadium.

Sale’s Jack Moorhouse gets to grips with Chinnor’s Latu Maakafi (c) Sale FC Rugby Photos 2019

Sale FC took a huge step towards safety in National League 1 with an impressive victory over mid table side Chinnor.

The opening exchanges saw a combination of resolute defending and unforced errors in equal measure, neither side being able to take advantage until, in the 17th minute, Sale prop Simon Griffiths was penalised at the ruck allowing Chinnor’s Bertie Hopkin the opportunity to kick for goal which he duly accepted.

Sale were penalised at the restart conceding possession to Chinnor. The Sale defensive effort soon reaped rewards forcing two penalties in quick succession, the latter in Kieron Wilkinson’s goal kicking range.

Captain Andy Hughes, however, chose to go for the corner, his positive approach rewarded with a try from hooker Christian Taylor, converted by Wilkinson.

Sale clearly looking to play expansive, entertaining rugby were undone when Chinnor intercepted and broke from halfway.

Despite an excellent covering tackle by Connor Docherty on leading try scorer Craig Holland, 2nd row forward Matt Postlethwaite was penalised at the ruck, an infringement which merited a yellow card.

From the resultant penalty, Chinnor mounted a driving maul, culminating in a try for Ben Thomas, converted by Hopkin. The second half restarted with a poor kick by Hopkin gifting good possession to Sale, a Wilkinson penalty quickly took Sale to the opposition 22. A well-orchestrated lineout laying the platform for winger Paolo Odogwu to threaten the try line.

Although initially halted by the Chinnor defence, superb support from the Sale forwards enabled prop Dan Birchall to drive over the line. Wilkinson added the extra points to give Sale a four point lead.

As Chinnor tried to regain the initiative, Sale defended with discipline and determination, ultimately bringing about a penalty kick which Wilkinson fired deep into the opposition half.

From the resulting lineout a break by winger Ed O’Keeffe took Sale to the try line but the ball was held up. At the scrum which followed a superb effort from the Sale pack dominated the opposition, forcing a penalty try.

Ed O’Keeffe lucks to cut back inside Chinnor’s wing Craig Holland (c) Sale FC Rugby Photos 2019

The visitors rallied with an impressive forward effort taking them close to the Sale line. From A scrum, Chinnor substitute Tom Burns broke from the base and after a series of phases the ball found Holland who scored, Hopkin converting.

Two minutes later a Wilkinson penalty restored Sale’s seven point advantage.

As the match entered the final 10 minutes, Chinnor took advantage of a mis directed Sale lineout leading to wing forward Joe Dancer with space to sprint some 50 metres to the Sale line scoring in the corner.

Hopkin didn’t add the extra points leaving Sale with a slim two point lead.

Sale rose to the challenge taking advantage of a knock on near the Chinnor 22, winning the scrum Matt Bradley fed O’Keeffe, Sale forwards in support, Postlethwaite took the ball to the line, the drive culminating with hooker Taylor scoring his second try of the match.

Wilkinson added the extras and with time ebbing away Sale closed the game out ending up winners of an entertaining match by 31 points to 22.

To watch the match highlights of the game v Chinnor Rugby please follow the link here.