Sale FC 9 Altrincham Kersal 14 (From Messenger Newspapers)

Sale FC 9 Altrincham Kersal 14

10:14am Monday 15th October 2012 in Sport

AK first team ended top of the table Sale's 36-game winning record, which stretched back more than 18 months.

The hosts dominated the opening half hour despite losing prop Joe Kelly and centre Giles Dugdale to injury, but could not score points as a couple of penalties were missed.

AK went ahead with a try from James O’Rourke converted by James Nettleton in the final 10 minutes of the half before Sale responded with a penalty from Andy Rowley to leave the visitors 7-3 ahead at the break.

Sale lost two further players to injury early in the second half before Ronan O’Brien narrowed the gap to one point with a 48th minute penalty.

The visitors’ extended their lead on 66 minutes with a try from Tony O’Connor, and once again Nettleton was accurate with the conversion.

A late penalty from O’Brien gave Sale a losing bonus point.

AK's team comprised 11 players who have come through their junior section.