Stourbridge 10 Sale FC 23

SALE FC kept their hopes of being in National Two North next season alive with a superb win against third-placed Stourbridge – and in so doing achieved the double over the west Midlands high-flyers.

The visitors conceded two penalties in the early minutes but Stour could not gain a scoring advantage and John O’Donnell then put in a fine break before the Sale move broke down.

Undaunted, the visitors finally secured the opening points with a penalty from Liam McGovern after the hosts were caught offside in their own half.

A penalty for the home side by Chris Scott on 28 minutes levelled matters, although Stourbridge were hampered by poor handling.

In addition, the efforts of a totally committed Sale side saw excellent rugby from Chris Mayor and O’Donnell to put Tom Ailes over for a try and McGovern added the extras with a superb touchline conversion.

Sale lost Mayor to injury a minute before the break but had a well-earned 10-3 lead as they turned to face a stiff wind in the second half.

Stourbridge were penalised early on for a high tackle and McGovern extended Sale’s lead before the hosts created some strong running that was only by stopped once again by poor Stour handling.

Frustration was the order of the day for the home side and their supporters as a second penalty from McGovern, following a side entry decision, gave Sale a 13-point lead.

The west Midlands outfit then charged down a Sale clearance kick who were relieved to see the hosts fail to score.

Stourbridge got themselves fully into the match only in the dying minutes with an excellent handling move that put Joe Bridger over for a try and Scott added the extras.

With the last play of the game, and the hosts looking to claim a second try and possibly the win, O’Donnell regained possession on the Sale try line to race the length of the pitch to secure the result and McGovern put in an outstanding kick from the touchline against a tricky wind.