Sale struggling to find form

Sale FC headed to Kingsey Road to take on Chinnor, hoping to get their first win of the season on another warm September afternoon.

The hosts took the lead as early as the 3rd minute when prop, Keston Lines, crashed over the whitewash from a metre out. 5-0

The returning Tom Walsh made a couple of lively runs which earned penalties, but the first half became littered with blasts on the referees whistle.

With a couple of minutes remaining in the half, Tom Walsh was shown yellow for taking the opposing winger out in the air and the home side took advantage with a try from hooker, Alun Walker, converted by centre, James Bourton. HT 12-0

With only 5 minutes on the clock in the second period, the Oxfordshire men extended their advantage with a try out wide from winger, Kieran Goss, who was making his 150th appearance for the club. 17-0

Try as they might, the dogs couldn’t find a way back into the game with Tom Walsh having a try disallowed for crossing and, a couple of minutes later, the hosts secured a bonus point with a try from James Bourton. 22-0

The home side added further tries in the 63rd and 79th minute through  Nick Smith and Will Feeney to make it a thoroughly miserable afternoon for the blue and whites. FT 36-0

A bad day at the office for the dogs which leaves us bottom of the table after 3 games and, with a trip to Cinderford next, things don’t get any easier.

Dogs don’t enjoy Park life

On a ridiculously hot afternoon, Sale FC took on Darlington Mowden Park with both teams looking to bounce back from first day defeats.

The visitors took the lead in the 7th minute with a penalty from fly half, Joshua Ree. 0-3

A few minutes later Sale lost centre, Fergus Mulchrone, to a yellow card, although it wasn’t until the 28th minute that DMP extended their lead with another penalty from Ree. 0-6

The Dogs finally got a foothold in the game when they won a lineout just inside the 22 and moved the ball wide for Tom Brady to put Nev Edwards in at the corner; Scrum half, Matt Bradley, adding a fine conversion. 7-6

Sale took the lead with the last play of the first half as quick hands saw  Nev Edwards head towards the line and offload perfectly for winger, Sammy Adu, to dive over; Bradley kicked the extras. HT 14-6

Within a minute of the restart, DMP were back in the game as Sale lost possession in midfield and scrum half, Callum Pascoe, strolled in unopposed. 14-13

The men from the North East went back in front in the 53rd minute with a third penalty from Ree and then scored a second try as centre, Ben Frankland, was on hand to sprint in following a break in midfield. 14-21

Sale were not out of it yet though and moved the ball from a 5m scrum into the hands of Mark Dixon who danced in with Bradley levelling the scores. 21-21

DMP were not to be denied, however, and secured a deserved bonus point win with a try and conversion from Ree, who took his tally for the game to sixteen points. FT 21-28

A chastening start to the season for the Dogs with testing games at Chinnor and Cinderford to come next.

Dogs mauled by Lions

Sale headed to Westleigh Park to take on newly promoted Leicester Lions in the 2023/24 season opener.

The dogs started brightly but lost the influential James Robins to an ankle injury in the 12th minute. This seemed to throw them off their stride and the hosts took the lead a few minutes later after a swift attack from halfway. Leicester Lions 7 Sale 0

The home side extended their lead in the 27th minute when fly half, Dan Lewis, kicked a penalty from 30m. Leicester Lions 10 Sale 0

Sale hauled themselves back into the game in the 32nd minute when Tom Brady crossed the whitewash after a fine break from Nev Edwards. HT Leicester Lions 10 Sale 5

Yellow cards for Dan Leake and skipper, Andy Hughes, saw the dogs reduced to 13 men early in the second half but the hosts only had two penalties from Dan Lewis to show for their numerical advantage. Leicester Lions 16 Sale 5

Sale fought back again when a 5m lineout was secured and debutant hooker, Nathan Claydon, dived over from the back of the rolling maul; Matt Bradley added the extras. Leicester Lions 16 Sale 12

Dan Birchall became the third Sale player to see yellow but, miraculously, the dogs took the lead in the 75th minute when Mark Dixon seared through a gap to score under the posts; Matt Bradley converted again. Leicester Lions 16 Sale 19

However, after another yellow card, this time for Joe Kelly, the hosts secured a deserved win with a strong rolling maul to the line. FT Leicester Lions 23 Sale 19

Not the start to the campaign the dogs were looking for but chance to bounce back at home to DMP next week.

Pre-Season Continues

This weekend there’s a double header pre-season game at Fylde

Sale FC – Hawick – Fylde

SATURDAY 26TH AUGUST 2023
PRE-SEASON FIXTURES AT THE WOODLANDS
FYLDE V SALE FC & HAWICK

1st XV ( main pitch )
2.15 Fylde v Sale
3.15 Sale v Hawick
4.15 Hawick v Fylde

BAR OPEN FROM 12
HATCH SERVING FOOD FROM 1PM

GATE ADMISSION:
Fylde RFC 2023-2024 Members – FREE ENTRY
Non-Members: £5
U16’s: FREE

Upgrade your gate entry and join us for pre-match lunch in the Woodlands Suite:
Members £15 / Non-Members £20
Includes – gate entry, 2x course summer buffet lunch with desserts and exclusive balcony viewing of the game.

Book your tickets and hospitality via this link:
https://www.fylderugby.co.uk/tickets/pre-season-fixtures-fylde-v-hawick-sale-fc/

or contact the office for more information:
admin@fylderugby.co.uk