Late Longstaff try sees Sale win at Leeds
On the back of a narrow first defeat of the season, Sale headed across the Pennines to take on an in-form Leeds team under the floodlights at The Sycamores.
Sale started like a house on fire with the forwards carrying hard and the hosts conceding penalty after penalty. However, the Dogs were unable to trouble the scoreboard and it was Leeds who struck first with a penalty kick from fly half, Eddie Crossland. 3-0
An interception from James Mitchell was the highlight of the next 10 minutes as he streaked downfield before being caught 20m from the home side’s line. A few minutes later, the Tykes extended their lead as the referee awarded a penalty try which saw Pete Vickers receive a yellow card. HT 10-0
Possession swapped hands frequently at the start of the second period but Sale got a foot in the game when some lovely play in the backs released centre, Arthur Scrace, to surge in for a try on his full debut; Mitchell added the conversion. 10-7
Not to be outdone, Leeds’ outside centre, Matt Salisbury, scored a fine solo try, sidestepping the Dogs defence in midfield and sprinting in under the posts, leaving Crossland with the easiest of kicks. 17-7
Sale needed a response and, after a brilliant 50-22 from Fergus Mulchrone, they hit back with a try off the rear of the rolling maul from another debutant, Charlie Bray; Mitchell making no mistake with a tricky kick. 17-14
With just over 10 minutes to play and with Tykes a man light after Lucas Walsh was shown a yellow card, the Dogs struck the crucial blow. 5m attacking lineout secured, the pack drove towards the line for hooker, Alfie Longstaff, to crash over; Mitchell added the extras with another fine kick. 17-21
The hosts threw everything at Sale in the final few minutes but strong, coordinated defence saw the game out. FT 17-21
Not a classic by any means, but a “dogged” performance from the Sale boys against a strong Leeds side. Top of the league (until Saturday evening at least!).