Two points turns to one as Sale suffer late defeat

Sale headed to Hertfordshire for their final away game of the 2023/24 season to take on relegation-threatened Bishops Stortford.

Playing in their change strip of all black, Sale started the game well and were soon in front when Cal Ford made a half-break before offloading perfectly for fellow prop, Ben Carlile, to cross the whitewash; James Robins made no mistake from the tee. 0-7

With the ref allowing play to flow, both sides looked to attack with the ball in hand and Sale extended their lead in the 32nd minute when Dan Leake made valuable yards to set up full debutant, Will Hitchen, for his first ever 1st XV try. HT 0-12

Having lost Nick Gray to a yellow card just before the break, the hosts made the most of their numerical advantage early in the second half as they levelled the scores with tries from Alex Rayment and James Ayrton. 12-12

Undaunted, the Dogs came again and re-took the lead in the 60th minute when, following a tap penalty, Will Riley crashed over the line; James Robins was on target again.12-19

Back came the home side to level matters just a few minutes later with a strong driving maul, the try converted by Tom Walker. 19-19

Both sides have opportunities and field positions to win the game but, with time in the red, the hosts were awarded a penalty 25m out and Tom Walker was adjudged to have kicked it {some doubt, even from home supporters!). FT 22-19

A much better performance from the Dogs but only a solitary point to show for it. All eyes now turn to the final game of the season on the 27th April when we take on Leicester Lions.

Titans topple Sale but Dogs survive

Both Sale and Taunton headed into this late season game searching for points in their bids to ensure their survival in National One.

The “Dogs” started the better of the two and took the lead in the 8th minute when Tom Brady was the beneficiary of good play from Oskar Hirskyj-Douglas and Matt Bradley, diving over in the corner. 5-0

The visitors responded almost immediately through winger, Oscar Stewart, before Sale retook the lead with a try out wide from Nick Gray; James Robins adding a fine conversion. 12-5

Back came the Titans again, Samuel Prior making a superb break before Charlie Wright scythed through the massed ranks; Louis Sinclair kicked the extras. 12-12

The topsy-turvy nature of the game continued as Sale’s Fergus Mulchrone bullied his way over the whitewash, only for Ratu Vakalutukali to level matters and Sinclair to put the visitors in front for the first time. 17-19

Crucially, with half-time approaching, the Titans extended their advantage as Wright grabbed his second and Sinclair made it 3 kicks from 4. HT 17-26

Sale looked to have snatched the momentum back at the start of the second half as Matt Bradley bundled over from a quick tap penalty but, not for the first time, the Titans went straight up the other end and scored from a fine Vatalutukali run. 22-31

A penalty kick from Sinclair left Sale with plenty of work to do and their cause was not aided with the loss of replacement, Tristan Woodman, to a yellow card in the 66th minute.

The visitors took full advantage of the extra man with a converted try from Oliver Schuster-Wood and, despite a late try from James Robins, they held on for a deserved bonus point win. FT 27-41

The only consolation for the “Dogs” was the 4-try bonus point which secured their National One status for another season.