Plymouth Albion vs Sale FC

Recap

Sale’s winning run ended by Plymouth

Sale FC leapfrogged 4th placed Blackheath with a win the previous weekend and had the chance to do the same with 3rd placed Plymouth Albion on Saturday afternoon.

On a beautiful clear and sunny day in Devon, it was the hosts who scored first with a simple penalty from fly-half, Iwan Jenkins, in the 3rd minute. 3-0

That lead was short-lived though as the away support were treated to a superb Freddie Reader double; the first seeing him step this way and that to outfox the opposition and the second racing onto his own chip over the top to touchdown; Joe Green converted both. 3-14

The hosts found their way back into the game just after the 20 minute mark when centre, Archie Hill, powered through from short range. Then, as the penalty count stacked up against the Dogs, Albion regained the lead with a try from Jack Oulton. Both scores were added to by Jenkins. HT 17-14

Despite losing Ciaran Parker to a yellow card in the last play of the first half, Sale started the second 40 on the front foot and were unlucky not to score as they went through phase after phase near the opposition whitewash, only to lose the ball forward at the crucial moment.

With the Dogs returning to a full compliment of players, the game became a little crappy with neither side making spells of possession count. However, the pivotal moment came in the 72nd minute as the hosts ignored a penalty advantage to release Angus Hodges to plunge over. 24-14

Sale continued to push to secure at least a losing bonus point but, with a last minute penalty attempt from Joe Green drifting agonisingly wide, they headed back to the North West with nothing to show for their endeavours. FT 24-14