Double from walsh earns win

Sale returned to familiar home territory on Saturday when they took on 5th placed Cinderford at Heywood Road, looking to avenge their defeat at Dockham Road in October 2022.

On a day when club legend, Richard Trickey, was presented with a commissioned portrait to mark his 60 years with the club, the dogs got off to a bright start, Tom Walsh blasting in from 30m to open the scoring; Tom Curtis converting. 7-0

The lead was extended in the 7th minute when Tom Curtis knocked over a penalty following Cinderford’s winger, Mason Tonks, being shown a yellow card. 10-0

The visitors bounced back in the 33rd minute when a cross field kick saw the unfortunate Mark Dixon take out the winger in the air, the referee awarding a penalty try and sin-binning the full back. 10-7

Rather than retreat into their shell, the 14 men attacked with verve, hammering at the try line before moving the ball wide for Nev Edwards to stretch over; Tom Curtis again adding the extras. HT 17-7

The blue and whites started the second 40 in similar vein to the first, Jordan Tebbatt producing a delicious chip over the defence for Tom Walsh to kick on and win the race to touch down; Tom Curtis made no mistake with the conversion. 24-7

Much of the second half was interrupted by the referee’s whistle, the dogs incurring his wrath much more than the men from the Forest of Dean and the away side closed the gap in the 73rd minute when scrum half, Michael Austin scored and then converted. 24-14

Sale had good attacking opportunities to score the bonus point try but couldn’t quite manage it and the visitors had the final say with a bonus point earning penalty. FT 24-17

An important win for the dogs to stay top of the table and keep the pressure on the chasing pack.