Sale FC vs Plymouth Albion

Recap

Late Dixon Double sees Sale beat Plymouth

Sale’s hopes of promotion to the Champ had ended with defeat at Blackheath the previous week but, for Plymouth Albion, it was all about winning to try and secure a home tie against Blackheath.

The visitors started the game on top and, with penalties stacking up against the Dogs, they deservedly took the lead in the 13th minute when stocky centre, Zack Wimbush, crashed over from a couple of metres; Fly-half, Iwan Jenkins, added the conversion. 0-7

Sale responded almost immediately as Tom Walsh, making his 100th appearance for the club, won the race to a kick through and hacked the ball forward for centre, Harry Davey, to chase and touch down. Ten minutes later, Davey returned the favour, releasing Walsh to dive over in the corner after a lightning quick attack. 10-7

The blue and whites were playing some incisive attacking rugby and extended their advantage in the 30th minute as the forwards won a 10m lineout and marched towards the line with Nathan Langdon peeling off the back to run in unopposed. 15-7

Back game Albion and, with time in the red, winger, Robert Wigginton, grabbed a try out wide to set up an intriguing second half. HT 15-12

As in the first 40, Plymouth started the second half the better and two quick fire tries around the 50 minute mark saw them hit the front. Firstly, good opportunism from scrum half, Jack Oulton, saw him scamper through a gap to score before Noah Fenton rose highest to claim an up and under on halfway and blast away to finish under the posts; Both tries were converted by Jenkins. 15-26

Having secured their try bonus point, it looked as though the visitors were managing the game sensibly to earn that all important win but the Dogs had other ideas. In the 68th minute, Walsh danced his way downfield, offloaded perfectly to Matt Bradley who, in turn, passed for Mark Dixon to sear in; Joe Green added the extras. 22-26

The home crowd were now heavily invested in the game and reacted ecstatically in the 76th minute when Mark Dixon crossed again after several phases from the forwards near the whitewash; Green was successful again from the tee. 29-26

With time ebbing away, Plymouth went through dozens of phases with the ball in hand and, with well over 80 minutes having been played, had the opportunity to take a draw when they were awarded a penalty 20m out and directly in front of the posts.

However, with that crucial win in mind they kicked to 10m out, won the lineout and set up the maul with the backs joining in. As the crowd held their breath, the Dogs somehow managed to disrupt the charging pack and earn a turnover. FT 29-26

A dramatic end to a game befitting of two of the top sides in National One. For Sale, they have the opportunity to spoil the Rotherham title charge next week whilst Plymouth will hope for a slip up by Club in their quest for a home play-off.