Dogs don’t enjoy Park life

On a ridiculously hot afternoon, Sale FC took on Darlington Mowden Park with both teams looking to bounce back from first day defeats.

The visitors took the lead in the 7th minute with a penalty from fly half, Joshua Ree. 0-3

A few minutes later Sale lost centre, Fergus Mulchrone, to a yellow card, although it wasn’t until the 28th minute that DMP extended their lead with another penalty from Ree. 0-6

The Dogs finally got a foothold in the game when they won a lineout just inside the 22 and moved the ball wide for Tom Brady to put Nev Edwards in at the corner; Scrum half, Matt Bradley, adding a fine conversion. 7-6

Sale took the lead with the last play of the first half as quick hands saw  Nev Edwards head towards the line and offload perfectly for winger, Sammy Adu, to dive over; Bradley kicked the extras. HT 14-6

Within a minute of the restart, DMP were back in the game as Sale lost possession in midfield and scrum half, Callum Pascoe, strolled in unopposed. 14-13

The men from the North East went back in front in the 53rd minute with a third penalty from Ree and then scored a second try as centre, Ben Frankland, was on hand to sprint in following a break in midfield. 14-21

Sale were not out of it yet though and moved the ball from a 5m scrum into the hands of Mark Dixon who danced in with Bradley levelling the scores. 21-21

DMP were not to be denied, however, and secured a deserved bonus point win with a try and conversion from Ree, who took his tally for the game to sixteen points. FT 21-28

A chastening start to the season for the Dogs with testing games at Chinnor and Cinderford to come next.

BONUS POINT WIN KEEPS MATTERS TIGHT AT THE TOP

Sale headed into this top of the table clash knowing that only a bonus point win would keep them in the hunt for promotion.

With big home support and a sizeable away following creating a tremendous atmosphere, the opening exchanges saw both sides showing their defensive strengths.

Rams took the lead in the 19th minute when, following a fine run from Tom Walsh, an attempted pass was intercepted by flanker, James McRae, who raced in from 50m; Alex Sears added the extras. 0-7

Five minutes later, the visitors lost number 8, Robbie Stapley, to a yellow card for a high tackle on Tom Curtis and the dogs took full advantage of the extra man when Tom Walsh slid over in the corner; Tom Curtis adding a superb conversion. 7-7

Sale took the lead in the 32nd minute when the ball was moved across the field at pace, Tom Brady eventually releasing the galloping Ben Bamber to score; Tom Curtis again on target. HT 14-7

The Berkshire men started the second half in the ascendency but the dogs’ defence did brilliantly to repel a couple of catch and drives near the try line.

The lead was extended on 58 minutes in familiar fashion, Josh Brown scoring his 20th try of the season from the back of a rolling maul. 21-7

Rams came again and were unfortunate to see the ball bounce over the head of winger, Jak Rossiter, when he was in acres of space. Sale weathered the period of pressure and then scored the bonus point try when Nev Edwards picked up a loose ball to sprint in from 70m. 28-7

The visitors grabbed a second try in the 73rd minute, centre, Ellis Jones, escaping the clutches of the defenders to stretch over the line. 28-12

Three minutes later, the dogs put the result beyond doubt when James Robins leapt high to pick off a pass and stroll in to the obvious delight of the vociferous home crowd. Tom Curtis making it five conversions from five. FT 35-12

A fine game of rugby between two exceptional teams who gave absolutely everything, but a superb 80 minute performance from Sale to set up a mouthwatering finale to the season

Sale FC vs Rams Programme

Sale keep pressure on at the top
Sale started the day in third place and in need of a bonus point win against fifth placed Bishop’s Stortford to keep pace with the top two in National One.

With Ladies’ Day festivities in full swing, the dogs started brightly, using their rolling maul to good effect.

The opening score came after 10 minutes when the catch and drive from 5m saw Jake Barron burrow over. 5-0

The visitors lost Austin Pope to a yellow card in the 23rd minute and Sale doubled their lead shortly afterwards when Josh Brown, stopped a metre from the whitewash, succeeded in offloading for the supporting Matt Bradley to score. 10-0

The blue and whites continued to dominate possession and territory but could not add to their score before the break. HT 10-0

It took just 2 minutes of the second period for the dogs to score again as Kieran Wilkinson made an incisive break before releasing James Robins to stroll in; Tom Curtis made no mistake from the tee. 17-0

The visitors were struggling to get any kind of foothold in the game and the bonus point try arrived in the 52nd minute when Tumy Onasanya blasted through the defensive line to score under the posts; Tom Curtis adding the extras. 24-0

The next ten minutes saw the Hertfordshire men play some good attacking rugby and they were rewarded when Alexander Rayment went over in the corner; Daniel Cole adding a fine conversion. 24-7

The dogs were to have the final say though, Ben Bamber doing brilliantly to charge down an attempted chip over the top before collecting the bouncing ball to score; Tom Curtis on target with the conversion. FT 31-7

A good all round display from the boys to earn another bonus point win at Heywood Road and a weekend off now to recharge the batteries for the final push.