Sale FC earn narrow win over Stourbridge

Sale FC were made to fight all the way as they beat Stourbridge 13-9 in front of a bumper crowd at Heywood Road.

The game was evenly matched throughout until two quick-fire penalties from Chris Johnson just after the hour gave Sale a four-point cushion which they didn’t relinquish.

Jack Moorhouse had gone over in the first half for the hosts, but Johnson’s six points secured Sale the victory which leaves them second in the table – only behind Caldy on points difference.

The visitors deservedly earned their losing bonus point thanks to three penalties from the accurate Luke White.

Before the match, Sale and Stourbridge were separated by just three points and the tight score-line reflected the tentative nature of the game between two of the strongest teams in the division.

That cagey feel was a theme throughout, especially in the first half, as White capitalised on Sale handling errors and indiscipline to nudge his side ahead thanks to two penalties.

Both defences were on top until the first real break of the game resulted in the opening try of the contest. Sale number eight Tom Ailes produced some magical footwork to evade the Stourbridge defence in his own half and he charged up the field before flicking the ball right to Moorhouse who dived over in the corner. Liam McGovern added the extras with his conversion going over off the inside of the left post.

Sale then started to turn the screw as they continued to look threatening with the ball in hand, but it was Stour who had the final chance of the first period when they were presented with a penalty. However, White was off target leaving Sale with a slender one point lead at half-time.

The Midlands side got the ball rolling for the second period as White made amends for his penalty miss by slotting over another three points for his side to put them back in front nine minutes after the restart.

Indiscipline threatened to hurt Stourbridge and it did just that as Johnson capitalised on Sale pressure to slot over two penalties in quick succession to give his side the lead once again.

From there, the home side then took control of the final quarter of this excellent contest with Moorhouse coming the closest to the second try of the afternoon but he was denied by a last-ditch tackle.

Sale restricted Stourbridge to their own half and comfortably held on to a victory which really does signal their intent for this season and keeps up the positive feeling around Heywood Road.

National Two North

Despite Sale picking up their sixth win of the season, they are no longer top of National Two North as Caldy ran in eight tries to secure a bonus-point win over Tynedale. Sedgley Park are up to third in the table as they thrashed the Luctonians 76-35 at Park Lane scoring 12 tries in the process.

Harrogate ended a six game losing run as they picked up their first win of the season thanks to a stunning 27-10 win over Leicester Lions, who failed to keep pace with the top three sides. Chester made it three wins on the spin as they beat South Leicester 43-32 while Sheffield Tigers had more joy in a Yorkshire as they beat Wharfedale 29-19 away from home.

Elsewhere, Scunthorpe sealed a vital 23-14 victory over an inconsistent Otley side and Preston Grasshoppers clinched a much needed victory as they scored six tries on their way to a 51-17 triumph over Hinckley who are now bottom of National Two North.

National Two South

League leaders Chinnor made it seven wins from seven as they produced a blistering second-half performance to beat Barnes 61-28 at the Queen Elizabeth Walk. On the coattails of Matt Williams’ side are the Old Elthamians who also maintained their 100 per cent start to the campaign as they beat the London Irish Wild Geese 38-17 at College Meadows.

Taunton Titans bounced back from their defeat to the OE’s last week by clinching a narrow 25-22 away win at Canterbury while Redruth and Bishops Stortford also claimed victories. The Reds beat Bury St Edmunds 35-22 on their travels and Stortford came away from Barnstaple with a 47-8 win.

Elsewhere, Cinderford secured their fourth win of the season thanks to a 30-23 triumph over Henley Hawks, Clifton picked up a much needed 33-22 win over Worthing Raiders while Exmouth ended their six game losing streak by gaining a 7-7 draw at home to the Redingensians.