Titans topple Sale but Dogs survive
Both Sale and Taunton headed into this late season game searching for points in their bids to ensure their survival in National One.
The “Dogs” started the better of the two and took the lead in the 8th minute when Tom Brady was the beneficiary of good play from Oskar Hirskyj-Douglas and Matt Bradley, diving over in the corner. 5-0
The visitors responded almost immediately through winger, Oscar Stewart, before Sale retook the lead with a try out wide from Nick Gray; James Robins adding a fine conversion. 12-5
Back came the Titans again, Samuel Prior making a superb break before Charlie Wright scythed through the massed ranks; Louis Sinclair kicked the extras. 12-12
The topsy-turvy nature of the game continued as Sale’s Fergus Mulchrone bullied his way over the whitewash, only for Ratu Vakalutukali to level matters and Sinclair to put the visitors in front for the first time. 17-19
Crucially, with half-time approaching, the Titans extended their advantage as Wright grabbed his second and Sinclair made it 3 kicks from 4. HT 17-26
Sale looked to have snatched the momentum back at the start of the second half as Matt Bradley bundled over from a quick tap penalty but, not for the first time, the Titans went straight up the other end and scored from a fine Vatalutukali run. 22-31
A penalty kick from Sinclair left Sale with plenty of work to do and their cause was not aided with the loss of replacement, Tristan Woodman, to a yellow card in the 66th minute.
The visitors took full advantage of the extra man with a converted try from Oliver Schuster-Wood and, despite a late try from James Robins, they held on for a deserved bonus point win. FT 27-41
The only consolation for the “Dogs” was the 4-try bonus point which secured their National One status for another season.