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.
