SALE FC maintained their powerful title challenge with a ninth victory in 10 games in National Three North.

The local lads beat Lymm 31-19 at home and are four points clear of second-placed Sandal who have a game in hand.

The in-formHeywood Road men were in control once they broke the deadlock after an even starts.

The defences stopped had the upper hand until Sale's Chris Mayor and Matt Simpson combined well for the latter to send Ciaran Connolly away on a mazy run to outstrip the Lymm cover and score under the posts on 21 minutes.

Four minutes later Mayor raced in for a second try after good work by the backs saw Simpson provide the chance.

Liam McGovern added both conversions as Sale built a 14-0 lead.

Lymm hit back strongly and took play into Sale territory for an extended period which saw them eventually rewarded when Ross White scored a try and Joe Knowles converted to make the score 21-14 at half time.

Sale struck two minutes after the break when Mayor crossed for his second try and McGovern added the extras, and Mayor and McGovern further extended the lead with another converted try.

The home side could not rest, though, and Lymm kept in touch when Adam Bray touched down and Knowles added the conversion with 20 minutes still to play.

McGovern settled any lingering nerves when he kicked a penalty after Lymm were caught offside, and although the visitors produced the last score when Jack Eccleston touched down in the final minute, it was Sale who took the honours with a bonus point victory.