Clifton vs Sale FC

Recap

Sale overcome plucky Clifton to earn third win on the bounce

Sale headed to the South West to take on newly-promoted Clifton after two morale boosting wins in the previous rounds.

The Dogs started with a strong wind at their backs and opened the scoring in the 8th minute when Alfie Longstaff peeled of the back of a maul to acrobatically dive over in the corner. 0-5

Despite playing into against the elements, the hosts were having plenty of territory and possession and only Sale’s strength and physicality in defence prevented a score.

With half-time approaching the blue and whites crashed and banged at the hosts’ defensive line before moving the ball wide for Mark Dixon to scamper in; Joe Green added the extras. 0-12

As time hit the red, disaster struck as centre, Harry Johnson, intercepted a pass and sprinted 65m to score under the posts before Thomas Quinlan converted. HT 7-12

The second half couldn’t have started any better for Sale as they kept the ball in hand before releasing Nev Edwards to score out wide. 7-17

Almost immediately, the Dogs gave away a penalty 30m from their own try line and Quinlan used the gusts well to bend a penalty through the posts. 10-17

Both sides then had periods of territory with opportunities to score but it took until the 77th minute for the Dogs to earn their bonus point try and make the game safe; Ollie Davies collecting a loose ball in midfield before surging in with Will Addison adding the two. 10-24

Even then, there was time for the hosts to earn a well-deserved bonus point of their own as Harry Hone crashed over and Quinlan continued his perfect afternoon from the fee. FT 17-24

The Dogs weren’t perfect but showed plenty of commitment to earn the victory against a Clifton side who gave everything right to the final whistle.