Sale F.C. 43 Billingham 19

SALE got back to winning ways with this victory, based on a confident first half performance, against a committed Billingham outfit.

Both sides opted for an expansive game from the off but it was the hosts who scored first after strong running by Tom Davenport and Jonathan Keep set up the opportunity for Keep to touch down for an early lead.

Within minutes an excellent break by Adam Aigbokhae gave Rhys Davies the opportunity to crash over and three minutes later Matt Neary put in a probing run on debut before sending Danny Waddy in for Sale’s third try, which McGovern converted.

Billingham came back with a try from Luke Wilson but approaching the half hour Keep was driven over for his second score to claim the bonus point.

Peter Evans the Billingham captain, who was always a threat, narrowed the gap to fourteen points with a converted try, but Sale countered once more when, with Billingham on the attack, Ciaran Connolly intercepted a long pass and raced sixty metres to touch down. McGovern added the extra points and Sale led 33-12 at the break.

A Scott Briggs try, and conversion from McGovern made it 40-12 nine minutes into the half but from then on scoring was spasmodic. Evans added a try and conversion for Billingham before McGovern secured a penalty with seventeen minutes remaining.

Despite opportunities for both sides neither could add to their tally but Sale had done more than enough to restore confidence.