Plymouth Albion vs Sale FC

Recap

Dream Day for Debutants in Devon

Sale FC made the long journey south to take on Plymouth Albion at Brickfields on the first Saturday of the 2024-25 season.

With persistent drizzle falling, the pack made a solid start, earning a penalty at the scrum in the 4th minute with James Robins slotting the kick from 30m. 0-3

The Dogs increased their lead just three minutes later as debutant winger, Obi Ene, picking up a loose ball on halfway and left everyone in his wake to score. Robins made no mistake from the tee. 0-10

The hosts responded in the 12th minute with a try of their own through winger, Frankie Dart, and fly half, Connor Eastgate, added the extras. 7-10

Sale came thundering back (literally!) as another debutant, Corbin Thunder, benefitted from a strong catch and drive from 5 metres. 7-15

Ene was shown a yellow card for a high tackle in the 20th minute and, moments later, the lead was reduced to a single point as Archie Hill scored and Eastgate converted. 14-15

Back to 15 men, the hosts failed to deal with another rolling maul and the debut tries continued with Pete Vickers picking up from the base and diving over the line. HT 14-20

The rain was falling much heavier as the second 40 commenced and ball handling was becoming increasingly tricky. However, Sale scored a superb bonus point try in the 53rd minute when Fergus Mulchrone offloaded to Mark Dixon before the latter put a beautiful kick through for ‘The General’ to pick up and slide over. 14-25

The backwards and forwards nature of the scoring continued with the Devonshire men scoring their third try in the 68th minute through  before replacement, Will Hunt, kicked a vital penalty 5 minutes later. 19-28

A late yellow card for Stone Priestley-Nangle made for a nervous final few minutes as the hosts reduced the arrears again through    But the Dogs held on to take a deserved 5-point win. FT 24-28