Ferg hat-trick in big win
With no game over the last couple of weeks and having lost their place at the top of National One, Sale travelled to Surrey looking to keep in touch with the leaders.
Esher started the game brightly but Sale were soon in front when Stone Priestley-Nangle offloaded for the galloping Nick Gray to sprint in; Kieran Wilkinson converted. 0-7
The dogs doubled their lead in the 15th minute when Fergus Mulchrone offloaded out of the back of his hand to Oskar Hirskyj-Douglas who returned the favour for the former to stroll over; James Robins with the extras. 0-14
Sale were cutting loose at this point and added a third try on 20 minutes as Tom Walsh neatly released Fergus Mulchrone to dash in from 20 metres; James Robins again on target. 0-21
Esher were on the scoreboard not long after when winger, Dan Rowland, evaded a tackle to score out wide but the dogs secured a bonus point before half-time as we stole the ball near the hosts line and Matt Bradley passed for Tom Walsh to dive over. 5-28
There was still time for the home side to score a second try, Rowland crossing the whitewash again, with a good conversion from Sam Morley. HT 12-28
Esher began the second 40 brightly and were firmly back in the game when a successful penalty from Morley was followed by a hat-trick try from Rowland. 20-28
However, the dogs upped the tempo and stretched their lead again, through the prolific Josh Brown; James Robins making it 4 out of 4 from the tee. 20-35
Sale then scored, arguably, the try of the season, running from our own try line and offloading at will before Fergus Mulchrone released Tom Walsh to score his second. 20-42
The hosts reduced the arrears again in the 69th minute, Andy Hamilton racing over in the corner and the try-fest continued in the 75th minute when replacement, Sean Street, dived over for his first try for the club. 27-49
The dogs put the icing on the cake with the final play of the game as Fergus Mulchrone broke free in midfield and charged in to complete his hat-trick. FT 27-54
A superb game with a plethora of attacking rugby for the spectators to enjoy but, ultimately, an important 5-point away win for Sale.