Sale FC 08 vs 07 Richmond Rugby
23rd November 2019
Dogged determination from Sale FC results in a superb victory against the league leaders Richmond.
By Bob Smith
Edited by Dave Hulme
Catch Up with Club Captain before the Richmond Fixture:
Sale were into their stride from the kick off, a lineout win on the opposition throw providing an opportunity to take the game to the visitors through centre Jeremy To’a and winger Patrick Ah Van. Another fine combination between Jonty Rawcliffe and Tom Brady saw the ball moved to the opposite wing where Ah Van was just unable to collect a low pass. The Sale scrum appeared to be having the better of the encounters but were penalized allowing Richmond to clear.
Sale were instantly attacked with To’a bursting at the heart of the Richmond defence, a half chance for Ah Van applying more pressure on the visitors. There was no let up from Sale with the whole team showing tremendous discipline in their ball retention, the forwards mounting a series of driving mauls in the face of a well-organized Richmond defence. With perfect timing, the ball was released to the backs and quick hands from Chris Johnson and Tom Brady gave To’a the opportunity to finish with a try in the corner. The try was not converted.
Sale FC 05 vs 00 Richmond
Somewhat against the run of play, Richmond flanker Toby Saysell broke clear from half way, feeding supporting winger Toby Eaton who touched down, full back Rob Kirby adding the extras giving Richmond the lead. Sale continued to test Richmond’s defence combining searching kicks from Johnson and multi-phase ball retention from the forwards keeping the visitors on the defensive through to half time.
Sale FC 05 vs 07 Richmond
Richmond took the early initiative in the 2nd half, forcing two Sale errors leading to a quickly taken free kick by No 8 Jesse Liston. This rebounded on Richmond as Sale’s defence was alert to the threat, Richmond penalized for not releasing allowed Johnson to clear the danger and put Sale back on the attack.
Sale won a penalty in midfield which Johnson scored to restore a narrow lead. The home side continued to play a combative game which pinned the visitors in and around their 22m zone.
Sale FC 08 vs 07 Richmond
A potential turning point came when Sale’s No 8 Jarad Williams earned a yellow card for a high tackle on Saysell, allowing Richmond the chance to press Sale’s defence. Three minutes after going down to 14 men, Sale conceded a penalty well within kicking range of Richmond’s top scorer Rob Kirby. His effort, however, drifted wide. Sale’s 14 men rose to the challenge, buoyed by the home crowd, and Williams returning for the closing minutes, controlled the remainder of the match to run out worthy winners by a single point.
Sale FC 08 vs 07 Richmond Rugby
Sale FC:
Try: To’a (1), Penalty: Johnson (1).
Richmond:
Try: Eaton (1), Conversions: Kirby (1)
Sale: Rawcliffe, Brady, To’a, Leota, Ah Van, Johnson, Bradley; Birchall, Juan Pablo Rivas, Talaese, Priestley-Nangle, Barron, Hughes, Leatherbarrow, Jarad Williams.
Replacements: Ford, Longmore, Pope, Davies, Moorhouse, Quirke.
Richmond: Kirby, Eaton, Mitchell, Cook, Kelly, Hodgson, Dabell; Cunnew, Grimstone, Litchfield, Hodge, Crawford, Parker, Saysell, Liston.
Replacements: Torpey, Dowding, Allman, Boyce, Bagwell.
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