Tonbridge Juddians vs Sale FC

Recap

Sale FC come from behind to win thriller at TJs

Sale FC headed to Kent to take on Tonbridge Juddians for only the second time in their history, hoping to improve on their defeat in the 2021-22 season.

The Dogs started the game well but it was the hosts who opened the scoring when winger, Tom Kendrick, stepped inside his man in the 8th minute to score and he increased the lead just 3 minutes late, scything through the defensive ranks on the opposite wing; Scrum half, Connor Lloyd, added the extras on the latter. 12-0

The hosts were causing all sorts of problems with their fast, attacking brand of rugby and added a third try through Curtis Barnes, shortly after Sale lost Nev Edwards to a yellow card. 19-0

Even at this early stage, the next score appeared crucial and it came courtesy of Mark Dixon who stretched over the line after a clever pass from Fergus Mulchrone; Joe Green added a superb conversion on his 50th appearance for the club. 19-7

Galvanised by this, the Dogs struck twice more through Tom Walsh – the first scampering in after an arrowed pass from Mulchrone; the second winning a foot race to dot down a superb chip over the top. HT 19-17

TJs started the second 40 looking to run from deep and scored their bonus point try through Barnes after a seamless exchange of passes in midfield; Lloyd was on target again. 26-17

However, the game appeared to turn on its head in the 48th minute when Sharyn Osgood was sinbinned for the hosts, Sale taking advantage with 3 tries in nine minutes through the forward power of Evan Mintern and Corbin Thunder and the poaching skills of Harry Davey. 26-36

If anyone thought the game was over, they were sadly mistaken as the Dogs lost Mulchrone to a yellow, the hosts taking advantage as Barnes completed his hat-trick. 33-36

With Sale returning to a full compliment and the game in the balance, the blue and whites called on all their reserves of energy to strike the final blow as skipper, Andy Hughes, burrowed over from a metre out. FT 33-41

An epic, entertaining game of rugby between two fine sides who looked to attack at every available opportunity with Sale showing tremendous character and fight to earn the bonus point win.