) so we best see you there!!
Two of the oldest clubs in the world came together at the CorpAcq Stadium with Sale FC looking to claim a first victory of the season against Blackheath, who had bounced back to National One at the first attempt last season.
The match started in wet conditions with ball handling challenging and the first meaningful action of the game saw Blackheath full back, Tom Ffitch, shown a yellow card for a deliberate knock on in the 8th minute.
The hosts were unable to take advantage of the extra man but got their noses in front in the 20th minute. Fergus Mulchrone showed enviable football skills to force the visitors to touch down behind their own line and, from the resulting 5m scrum, the ball was moved wide at pace for Tom Walsh to scamper in. 5-0
Blackheath fought their way back into the game and only solid defence from “The Dogs” prevented “Club” from crossing the whitewash. However, penalties in the 30th and 39th minutes from Tom Ffitch and another in between from Matt Dalrymple saw the black and reds go in with a lead at the interval. HT 5-9
The away side started the second period firmly on the front foot but, try as they might, they could not breach the swarming Sale defence. It took a fine recovery tackle from winger, Tom Walsh, though to haul down fellow winger, Jake Lloyd.
With the rain persisting, Sale eventually retook the lead in the 59th minute when a rumbling maul was stopped short of the line, only for prop, Riki Stout to pick up and crash over; James Robins added the extras. 12-9
Scrum half, Matt Bradley, making his 150th appearance for the club, entered the fray to a standing ovation, but it took only four minutes for the visitors to respond as centre, Leo Fielding, evaded would be tacklers to dive over. 12-14
In the 72nd minute, Sale were back in front, Tom Brady wriggling out of a tackle on the 22 and then offloading for Nev Edwards to somehow hold off tacklers and slide over the try line; James Robins again on target with the conversion. 19-14
Blackheath had opportunities in the dying embers but “The Dogs” held out for a first win of the season. FT 19-14
We have a great event this weekend at Heywood Road with one of the oldest clubs in the world and the oldest independent club are travelling up from South London to visit us.
A Medieval Feast awaits those who are attending on the day and if you’re a member, you can book through your login on the website. For non-members, you can book here
Sale FC 1861 travelled south to take on a Worcester side who finished 3rd in last seasons Women’s Championship North 1.
On a breezy afternoon, the blue and whites were playing into the wind first half but took the lead in the 9th minute when Zena Francis hacked the ball through the defence and won the race to pick up and dive over the line; Kim Seddon added the extras. 0-7
Replacement, Arrla Hassall, was shown a yellow card on 20 minutes, shortly after entering the fray. However, the ladies increased their lead two minutes later when, following a brilliant jackal from Charlotte Denny, they attacked with pace, Zena Francis timing her offload perfectly for Kirsty Reid to score. 0-12
The hosts rallied and struck back in the 27th minute when the ball went loose near our line and was picked up by one of their replacements; Madison Hughes converted. 7-12
1861 had the last say of the first half though as Zena Francis scored a superb individual try, sprinting in from halfway and handing off would be tacklers at will. HT 7-17
The hosts came out for the second half with renewed vigour and closed the gap with a try after a tap and go and several phases. 12-17
The ladies remained undaunted and increased their lead in the 51st minute when turnover ball was moved out wide with Freya Wildgoose the beneficiary; Kim Seddon added a magnificent conversion. 12-24
Back came Worcester with a try in the corner but 1861 took their advantage to two scores when Jess Wooden picked up a loose ball and sprinted in under the posts; Kim Seddon again on target. 17-31
The ladies put the game out of reach in the 68th minute when Sarah Cornforth produced a moment of magic, blasting down the wing form halfway. 17-36
A magnificent bonus point win and a performance packed with pace, power and a fair sprinkling of individual flair.
Sale FC were on the road again for a second weekend in succession, making the trip to Gloucestershire to take on Cinderford in the Forest of Dean.
The dogs started brightly but it was the hosts who took the lead in the 10th minute with a penalty from fly half, Joe Winfield. 3-0
Sale bounced back 10 minutes later as we won a scrum against the head, kicked to the corner and got the catch and drive right for Nick Gray to score; Matt Bradley added the extras. 3-7
The lead lasted less than six minutes as the home side moved the ball well for winger, Will Henry, to score in the corner; Winfield converted. HT 10-7
The second period began with the blue and whites having plenty of territory and, with the hosts full back shown a yellow card for a deliberate knock on, the dogs took advantage with a well worked try.
Tom Walsh broke down the blindside, offloaded for Joe Green who then popped a pass over his head for debutant, Ted Stagg, to pick up and dive over. 10-12
Sadly, the remaining twenty minutes were interrupted by constant blasts on the referees whistle with the Gloucester men making the best of the penalty count when they scored what turned out to be the winning try in the 66th minute. FT 15-12
This was a good performance from the boys and only fine margins saw them defeated again. Onwards and upwards!
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.