Rossendale 26 Sale F.C. 42
An excellent second half performance ensured Sale recorded maximum points once more in overcoming a committed Rossendale side.
The hosts went ahead in the fourth minute when a driving maul ended with Ryan McKibbon scoring the first try, but Sale responded ten minutes later when a confident passing move was rounded off by Jack Moorhouse touching down wide out to level the scores.
With the slope on the pitch favouring the home side Rossendale dominated territory for much of the first half and led again when Jamie Albinson raced in from close range and Roger Dennison kicked the conversion for a 12-5 lead.
Liam McGovern added a penalty before half time and two immediately afterwards to put Sale ahead as the visitors used the pitch to full advantage. In ten minutes of sublime rugby Sale totally dominated the home side with tries from McGovern, Ben Stelmaszek, and Chris Mayor all converted by McGovern.
Now 35-12 in front Sale allowed Rossendale to score a third try by Danny Collins, converted by Dennison but as the match moved towards the close Sale struck again. With the pack dominant, prop Nick Flynn touched down and McGovern added the extras, but there was still time for the hosts to counter once more with a try from Paddy Pole and conversion from Dennison to close out the game.
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