2:15pm kick off
12:30pm Bar open
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Sale took on Bishops Stortford at the CorpAcq Stadium in their final home game before Christmas with both sides looking to kick on having won their previous two league games.
The opening exchanges were interrupted by several piercing shrills from the referees whistle, mainly in favour of the visitors, but momentum was at a premium for either side.
The most notable moment of the first 20 minutes was a yellow card for Sale full-back, Fergus Mulchrone, after an argy bargy involving almost everyone on the field.
With conditions worsening by the minute, Stortford enjoyed the better of the territory but couldn’t find a way through the Dogs resolute defence. With time in the red, the hosts took the lead with a penalty from James Robins. HT 3-0
The second half started in familiar fashion with mistakes from both sides in the greasy conditions, but the game took a potentially crucial turn in the 58th minute when Sale’s Jake Barron was shown a straight red card as a flailing arm connected with an opposing players face.
With the rain now monsoon-like, the blue and whites dug in and took the lead on 69 minutes when the ball was moved wide, Tom Parkin releasing Mark Dixon to barge over. 8-0
The visitors were undaunted and reduced the arrears almost straightaway with a try from captain, James Ayrton, which was converted by fly half, Matt Riddington. 8-7
The remaining minutes were a test of metal for the blue and whites but, buoyed by a vocal home support, they survived to claim a vital win and take themselves to just a point from being out of the relegation places. FT 8-7
After a shaky start to the season, Sale FC have started to hit their stride. With wins against top of the league Rams and their first away win of the season down at Taunton Titans last Saturday. The Dogs are looking to continue their form against Bishop’s Stortford on Saturday. Our record against Bishop’s is Played 7, Won 5, Lost 2 (both losses were back in 2019).
If you are a Sale Sharks season ticket holder, we are offering free entrance on Saturday to our game. All you need to do is bring your season ticket to the gate for your free admission!
The Players will be giving out chocolates after the game to all the children with Santa in attendance!
On Sunday we also have our very own Sale FC 1861 playing at the CorpAcq stadium against Buckingham Swan Ladies.
Taunton Titans vs Sale FC never disappoints. With the average points during our previous four meetings nearly 65 points per game, this scoreline is pretty typical of our games with Taunton. Both teams like to throw the ball around, score tries and play entertaining rugby. Sale have never lost to Taunton, but with 50 minutes gone in this game, it appeared they were well on their way to putting a big score past the dogs. Then a yellow for Taunton from what was deemed to be a deliberate knock on, resulted in a remarkable 38 unanswered points in less than 30 minutes.
We would love to give you an in-depth analysis of the game, but the reality is, with such heavy fog over the pitch, much of the game was invisible to spectators. The picture below was when the visibility was good!
Sale headed into home the game against Rosslyn Park on the back of another loss on the road, knowing that victory was vital in their efforts to move away from the foot of the table.
The early stages saw both sides testing each other out, but it was the blue and whites who took the lead in the 8th minute when Connor Doherty intercepted a pass on halfway and strode away to score under the posts; Tom Curtis added the extras. 7-0
The visitors responded almost immediately with wing, Charles Walker, outpacing the defence to score in the corner; Josh Bragman kicked the conversion. 7-7
Curtis put the Dogs back in front with a penalty after a fine break from Fergus Mulchrone and, shortly after, the impressive Doherty repeated his first try, stripping the ball on halfway and blasting in; Curtis again on target. 17-7
Park threw everything at the hosts towards the end of the half but a superb defensive stint was interrupted by an intercept from Stone Priestley-Nangle, who galloped almost the length of the pitch before offloading to Matt Bradley for an easy score; Curtis made no mistake from directly in front of the posts. HT 24-7
Sale FC started the second half in the ascendency and extended the lead in the 45th minute when Jake Barron barrelled over for the bonus point try after several phases near the whitewash; Curtis made it 5 kicks from 5. 31-7
The Dogs continued to dominate proceedings, helped by a yellow card for Park’s captain, Arthur Ellis, and Sean Street dived on a loose ball behind the whitewash to score the fifth try; Curtis made it a perfect afternoon from the tee. 38-7
Park pierced the Sale defence in the 78th minute through Josh Bragman but there was still time for Street to cap a fine team performance, as he danced in for his second try with Matt Bradley on target with the kick. FT 45-7
A superb performance from the Dogs to earn their second consecutive home win and give them confidence as they approach a crucial few weeks before the festive period.
Remembrance Day saw the league leaders head to Heywood Road to take on a Sale side propping up the league table.
The first quarter of an hour saw both teams testing each others defence with several scrums apiece, but the Dogs took the lead in the 16th minute when Tom Curtis nudged a penalty kick through the posts from 30m. 3-0
Rams opened their account seven minutes later as they won a 5m lineout and mauled to the line for Max Hayman to crash over; Fraser Honey added the extras. 3-7
The remainder of the half saw Sale with plenty of possession and territory but the swarming Rams defence held firm until the clock was in the red. The hosts went through phase after phase near the whitewash before Cal Ford surged over for the try. HT 8-7
In the 47th minute, Rams second row, Dan Swain, was shown a straight red card for a high tackle and Sale took immediate advantage with a try from skipper, Andy Hughes; Curtis converted. 15-7
Undaunted by going down to 14, the visitors hit back with a repeat of their opening score, Hayman grabbing his second try of the game and Honey kicking the two. 15-14
Rams regained the lead in the 65th minute with a 40m penalty from Honey but the Dogs were back in front four minutes later, Josh Brown the beneficiary of a strong catch and drive; Curtis on target again with the kick 22-17
Sale put the game to bed in the 78th minute with a superb try from Connor Doherty, the ball having passed through several hands at speed; Curtis made no mistake from the tee. FT 29-17
A brilliant game of rugby and a return to form for the Dogs to earn a bonus point win against the high flyers from Berkshire.