Leicester Lions ensure survival with hard fought victory at Sale
The final throws of the 2023/24 season saw Sale take on Leicester Lions at Heywood Road, with the visitors looking for a victory to ensure their survival in National One.
Leicester were in front in next to no time when fly half, Daniel Lewis, slotted a straightforward penalty from directly in front of the posts and he repeated the feat in the 18th minute to extend the lead. 0-6
Sale were seeing plenty of the ball but couldn’t make pressure count and the visitors went further in front when a quick counter attack saw full back, Joe Patrick, win a race for the ball and touch down; Lewis was on target again with the extras. 0-13
The Dogs finally got the scoreboard ticking when the stole a lineout and went through several phases before centre, Connor Doherty, bullied his way over the whitewash; James Robins converted. HT 7-13
The second half started with both sides having periods of territory but Sale got their noses in front in the 50th minute as a fine move ended with Doherty looping a long pass for winger, Tom Walsh, to scamper in; Robins made no mistake with the two. 14-13
With time ebbing away, the Lions galvanised themselves for one final push and re-took the lead with a 35m penalty from centre, Luke Bouchier. 14-16
Their safety was guaranteed when they moved the ball at pace in the 76th minute for Patrick to grab his second of the game, converted by Bouchier. FT 14-23
Not to be for the Dogs on the final day, but a chance for the players and coaches to get some well deserved rest now and come back fighting again when the new season starts in September.