Darlington Mowden Park vs Sale FC

Recap

Sale survive late scare to beat DMP

After a couple of defeats, Sale FC travelled to the North East looking to bounce back against winless Darlington Mowden Park.

The Dogs, in their all-black away kit, started the match brightly and were in front as early as the 3rd minute when Josh Brown stretched over the line after several phases from the forwards. 0-5

Six minutes later, Sale extended the lead when a loose ball from an overthrown attacking lineout was adjudged to have been knocked forward by a Park hand, and Fergus Mulchrone collected and sidestepped his way to the whitewash; James Robins converted. 0-12

The next few minutes saw the hosts with plenty of pressure but Sale defended effectively and then hit the home side with a fine counter attack, Mark Dixon the recipient of the final pass to score under the posts; Robins added the extras. 0-19

The game changed on 22 minutes when Robins was shown a yellow card for foul play and the North East side took full advantage, scoring two tries in two minutes through Oscar Usher and Liam Checksfield, the first converted by Joshua Ree. 12-19

Sale managed the period with 14 men effectively but Park reduced the arrears on the stroke of half-time with a 30m penalty from Ree. HT 15-19

The second 40 started in similar fashion to the first with Brown the beneficiary from a 5m catch and drive; Robins was again successful from the tee. 15-26

It got better for the Dogs in the 47th minute when they won the ball deep in their half before a sparkling attack saw Osian Roberts make significant yardage before offloading for Dixon to grab hi second of the game; Robins continued his fine afternoon with the boot. 15-33

Seven minutes later the game took another twist when Robins was shown a second yellow card (and therefore a red) and Park put Sale to the sword immediately with a strong maul to the line; Yaree Fantini the scorer. 20-33

The lead was reduced even further on 58 minutes when Jacob Oliver crashed over in similar circumstances and replacement, Harry Read added the two. 27-33

Sale refused to panic and, arguably, scored the try of the game on 66 minutes. Dixon made a unbelievable break leaving several players in his wake and, when the ball was recycled, Will Hunt arrowed a kick to the touch line for Obi Ene to dive over. 27-38

Despite being one man short, the Dogs defended for their lives and looked to be weathering the storm until Ben Carlile saw yellow in the 75th minute. Not for the first time, Sale paid an immediate price as Callum Mackenzie dived over to set up a grandstand finish. 34-38

The hosts threw everything but the kitchen sink at the final few minutes and were camped on the tryline when the referee blew for a Sale penalty and the ball was belted into the stands to end an epic game. FT 34-38

Unbelievable effort from the boys to secure the bonus point win and stay in touch with the leading contenders in National One, despite playing from 55 minutes with 14 men and then 13 for the final five.