SALE retained second spot in league North 1 West after this victory over Wilmslow but neither side displayed their true potential.

The home side led after four minutes from a penalty by Scott Redfern, and it was the same player who extended Sale’s lead to 6-0 with a second penalty on 15 minutes. There was little quality on display in a poor first half and it was no surprise that the score remained unaltered at half time.

The second period provided some better rugby with Danny Waddy breaking clear from a five metre scrum on 56 minutes to score and Redfern added the conversion for a 13-0 lead.

Wilmslow responded 10 minutes later when Sale lost possession and Tom Rayner finished a move to narrow the gap to eight points but late in the game a try from Chris Lillie, his 50th in league rugby for Sale, and a Redfern conversion put Sale fifteen points clear.

With the last play of the game Wilmslow’s Mike Black touched down and Bob MacCallum kicked the conversion as the referee ended the game.