Sale Narrowly Defeat Plymouth Albion- Match Report

Sale FC brought in form Plymouth Albion down to earth with a hard-fought, one point victory.

By Bob Smith

On a very heavy pitch in blustery conditions, winger Jack Moorhouse scored 2 tries and Chris Johnson kicked an invaluable 6 points as Sale gave every ounce of effort to secure the victory against in form Plymouth, who came into the match on the back of 4 straight wins and a points tally of 152 in January.

The Sale pack quickly asserted themselves with solid scrummaging and an impressive drive to create an overlap for winger Jonty Rawcliffe to touchdown in the 3^rd minute, only for a forward pass to nullify the effort. Having weathered the early pressure, Albion responded positively, making ground into the Sale 22, eventually forcing a penalty in front of the posts which Connor Eastgate slotted home.

Sale were quickly on the front foot once more and despite the conditions , continued to run the ball, rewards coming with tries from Moorhouse and Johnny Leota in the 19^thand 26th minutes respectively.

20’ TRY the dogs almost score from a 5m lineout but from the next attack the ball is flung wide by @emilianocalle94 for @jack_moorhouse to dive over in the corner @SaleFC 5 @AlbionRFC 3 #salevplym pic.twitter.com/D0ATGhoiRS

— Sale FC Rugby (@SaleFC) February 1, 2020

 

28’ TRY brilliance from @Patty_AhVan to make another line break, @emilianocalle94 almost makes the line but @TeamLeota is on hand to pick up and dive over with @Johnorugby10 adding the extras @SaleFC 12 @AlbionRFC 3 #salevplym

— Sale FC Rugby (@SaleFC) February 1, 2020

Not to be outdone, Albion came back with a try from No 8 John Kelly, rounding off an impressive forward effort from the visitors. Both teams found it hard to put any prolonged passages of creative rugby as unforced errors crept into the game as it edged towards half time.

The pattern was broken when, following a scrum on half way, Albion cut loose, Josh Skelcey sprinting clear to score in the final minute of the first half giving Albion a slender one-point advantage.

The lead changed hands within minutes of the restart, Rawcliffe sprinting clear from halfway, finding Moorhouse on his shoulder 2 metres from the line and diving over to score. Chris Johnsons’ excellent conversion extending the Sale lead.

HT @SaleFC 12 @AlbionRFC 13 dogs having the better of possession on the sticky surface but the men from Devon have been clinical when they have had opportunities #salevplym #onesalefc #Nat1

— Sale FC Rugby (@SaleFC) February 1, 2020

Back came Albion with a lineout on the Sale 5 metre line, which, disrupted by Sale 2^nd row Rhys Davies, led to a loose ball, Albion hooker James Salter first to react and touchdown.

Albion went further ahead, recovering the ball from a charge down by Sale skipper Andy Hughes in their own half, catching Sales’ defence out of position, running clear to play full back Skelcey in for their 4^th try, on this occasion the extra points were added by Eastgate.

Sales’ response was decisive, with their forwards dominant as they worked their way forward, Number 8 Jarad Williams crashing over to score, restoring a slender lead. Both teams drew on their last reserves of energy with Sale holding on to their slender 1 point lead to take a well-deserved bonus point victory.

 

FT
Sale FC 26 vs 25 Plymouth Albion

FT @SaleFC 26 @AlbionRFC 25 great great game of rugby particularly given the conditions. Both sides deserve enormous credit but a fantastic bonus point win for the dogs #salevplym #onesalefc #Nat1

— Sale FC Rugby (@SaleFC) February 1, 2020

 

Photography, courtesy of Andrew Lush

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FT @SaleFC 26 @AlbionRFC 25 Great game of rugby particularly given the conditions. Both sides deserve enormous credit but a fantastic bonus point win for the dogs #salevplym #onesalefc #Nat1 Catch up with Jack Moorhouse and Chris Johnson 🐾 Credit to Plymouth as their players thank travelling supporters 👌

A post shared by Sale FC Rugby (@salefc) on Feb 1, 2020 at 8:35am PST