Sandal 13 Sale F.C. 30

THE visitors put in a compelling performance to overcome a strong Sandal side who won both games last season.

Captain Liam McGovern claimed an early penalty, but minutes later Sandal pounced when Sale lost possession and scrum half Gareth Newman raced in for a try which James Ellar converted.

McGovern was using some probing kicks downfield to take play into the Sandal half, and the tactic paid off when a home clearance kick went straight to Mark Lawrence. The Sale full back chipped the ball back over the cover defence and an awkward bounce deceived the home players as Lawrence touched down for the try and an 8-7 lead.

There followed a period where neither side could add points as strong running matched good defensive play by both teams. Five minutes before the break Sale were caught offside and Ellar added a penalty for the hosts to regain the advantage.

With a minute left and Sale deep into Sandal territory slick handling and a long pass by McGovern put Jonathan Keep over a try and McGovern added the conversion from the touchline to make it 15-10.

The second half saw Sale’s Tom Davenport sin-binned, and eight minutes later Ellar added a second penalty for the Yorkshiremen but Sale were now starting to impose themselves on the match.

In the final quarter McGovern kicked a penalty and converted a fine try by Ben Stelmaszek to put Sale two scores ahead, and in the closing minutes Stelmaszek scored a second try to secure a deserved win.