Last-Gasp Conversion Seals Late Sale Jets Win

Gloucester United made the long trip up North to face Manchester’s Sale Jets in the Aviva Premiership A-League on Monday night.

The Game was an incredibly close fought affair, and after a last play of the game try from Sale fullback Mike Haley and a difficult side-line conversion from scrum half Nathan Fowles, Sale were eventual victors, snatching a 13-12 win.

After a disappointing opening game loss a week ago in Newcastle, the Sale Jets were looking to bounce back and get a win on the board against the West Country side.

Gloucester impressively overcame Worcester two weeks previously, and they named to changes two that side for the Sale game.

As the cold, damp Northern conditions dictated how the game would be played, Gloucester started the better of the two sides. Neat lines and good handling skills gave the visitors good field position that was eventually turned over by the Jets.

Sale opened the scoring through the boot of young fly half Joe Ford. Ford, who broke the hearts of many Gloucester fans already this season, just a week ago to secure the Shark’s first, surprise, win of the season away at Kingsholm. Sale lead 3-0.

A further incentive to impress for both of the young sides was the attendance of both club’s directors of rugby, being Nigel Davies and Steve Diamond of Gloucester and Sale, respectively. There was a fine balance with the game at this point as both teams seemed equally balanced.

The Jets gave away a penalty of which Gloucester denied a shot at goal and nudged the ball into the corner. Hooker Nathan Stroud found Lewis Ludlow at the back of the lineout and found himself with a clear run in to the line. Bentley added the extras putting the visitors into the lead.

After the first try of the game Sale began to gain a firmer grasp on the game, with Gloucester giving away two penalties at both a scrum and a maul. The Jets were in the hunt for a try and looked destined to score before lock forward Josh Beaumont lost the ball forward as he neared the line.

The Jets claimed the ball once again and began to attack, a score, again, looked imminent, and it was only a last-gasp try-saving tackle from Gloucester’s Steph Reynolds that stopped Will Addison from scoring in the corner.

Both sides then exchanged periods of attacking play, with a Gloucester break being held up inside the Jets 22. The Scores remained at 3-7 to the visiting side at the break, after what was a fascinating but scrappy first half.

Again, it was Ford and the Jets who opened proceedings in the second half. A testing up and under earned the Jet’s a penalty, which Ford slotted to reduce the deficit to a single point with well over half an hour still left in the game.

The game was still a scrappy affair in the second half, but Gloucester’s most impressive weapon on the day, Jonny May, charged down the side line, passing a number of defenders and perfectly finding Luke Hume who darted through for a superb score. However, the extras were missed.

Sale then realised they needed to up their game and keep a hold on Gloucester. The Jets used a large amount of possession as a young, stout Gloucester defence kept the home side out.

Gloucester’s Luke Hume misjudged a kick leaving an opening for scrum half Fowles to regain the ball and break through the line. However, as soon as the ball was gained it was lost just as quick, through a Gloucester turnover.

With just minutes remaining on the clock and the Sale side behind on the scoreboard, the visiting defence were trying all they could to keep at Sale’s continual advances.

After a relentless onslaught deep within the Gloucester half a fourth lineout was shipped out to the Sale backs on the last play of the game with fullback Mike Haley crossing for a decisive score in the corner.

However, the game was far from over, with Sale a point behind and barely any time on the clock, Fowles stepped up to take the difficult conversion attempt for the win.

Fowles managed to handle the pressure, remain cool and negotiate the difficult kick from the touchline, sealing the win.

Sale managed to turn their fortunes around and snatch the game at the death; illustrating the side’s determination and persistence.

The Jets have a two week break before they travel to face the Worcester Cavaliers in the Aviva A-League’s third round.