Sale F.C. 33 Stockport 28

AN excellent second half display saw Sale overturn a fifteen point Stockport lead to secure progress to the semi final of the Cheshire Cup for the second year running.

The hosts gained an early advantage when Stockport were penalised in the second minute and Liam McGovern kick the penalty. This lead didn’t last long as Sale transgressed on a number of occasions allowing Stockport kicker Josh Longmore to claim three penalties.

The visitors extended their lead when winger Tom Oban finished off a well worked move and Longmore added the conversion for a 16-3 lead.

Sale’s plight worsened when Joe Nabou was sin binned for ten minutes, but that seemed to fire up the home side after McGovern added a second penalty. Two minutes later a fine take at the line out by Adam Aigbokhae and quick ball down the backs saw Tom Davenport power through the Stockport defence for a try on debut, and with McGovern adding the extras Sale had brought themselves back into the match at 13-16 down.

The visitors responded well and four minutes before the break a mazy run from elusive full back Elliott Fletcher extended the Stockport lead to ten points.

Sale started the second half well with strong running from Nabou and Danny Waddy but Stockport eventually regained possession. Swift passing and a crossfield run by Myles Hall outpaced the Sale cover for the visitors’ third try and Longmore added the conversion to give Stockport their biggest lead in the match at 28-13.

With play very much in the Stockport half, confident inter-passing by the home side saw Sam Stelmaszek spot a gap and race in for a try on 51 minutes. McGovern added the conversion, and then a fine angled sixty metre kick by the same player took the game back into the Stockport 22.