Entertainment galore at Heywood Road as Sale defeat Moseley
High-flying Birmingham Moseley headed North looking for a fifth straight league success against a Sale side whose own winning run had come to an end the previous week.
The visitors started the stronger and were soon in front when fly half, Tighe Maxwell-Whiteley, benefited from a charge down to make his way over the try line and then convert. 0-7
Moseley were looking dangerous with the ball in hand with centre, Oli Allsopp, particularly prominent, but the Dogs worked their way into the game and reduced the arrears on 20 minutes when Tom Curtis made no mistake with a penalty kick from directly in front of the posts. 3-7
Two minutes later the blue and whites took the lead as winger, Tom Brady, picked up a knock on in midfield and raced in from 40 metres; Curtis added the extras. 10-7
The situation worsened for the Midlanders in the 25th minute when prop, David Langley, was shown a yellow card, Tom Curtis making no mistake with the resulting penalty. 13-7
A few minutes later the hosts took full advantage of their numerical superiority, keeping the ball alive superbly before the returning Fergus Mulchrone offloaded for debutant, Tom Burrow, to side step the tackler and make it to the whitewash; Curtis again on target. 20-7
With half-time in sight, Moseley reduced the arrears with a well taken try from winger, Aquile Smith, after good work from Allsopp and Maxwell-Whiteley made no mistake with the conversion. HT 20-14
The away side began the second 40 in similar fashion to the first and were soon back in front when scrum half, Freddie Painter, forced his way to the line after a quick tap penalty; Maxwell-Whiteley slotted the kick. 20-21
Undaunted, back came the Dogs to retake the lead with a try from their own scrum half, Matt Bradley, who sniped down the side of a ruck to score before Curtis continued his fine afternoon from the tee. 27-21
The tit for tat nature of the scoring continued, Moseley fashioning a try from short range through the impressive Allsopp with Maxwell-Whiteley also continuing his perfect afternoon with the boot. 27-28
With just over 10 minutes to play, Curtis edged the Dogs in front with a straightforward penalty before Oskar Hirskyj-Douglas scored the try of the afternoon, dancing his way to the line after superb hands in the backs; Curtis made it 7 kicks from 7. 37-28
With time in the red, the visitors were awarded a penalty and Maxwell-Whiteley opted for the posts to secure a deserved second bonus point. FT 37-31
A terrific game of rugby between two sides who went at it hammer and tong all afternoon with the Dogs securing an impressive bonus point win.