SALE FC saw their 18-month undefeated home run come to an end when they lost 31-23 against Rosslyn Park in their National League One fixture at the CorpAcq Stadium last Saturday.

Both sides went into the match after hard-fought victories the previous week and Sale took an early lead after just two minutes with Jack Moorhouse carrying an Adam Aigbokhae pass across the line for a try converted by Chris Johnson.

However, three minutes later Rosslyn’s pacy winger Nev Edwards took the play up to Sale’s 22-metre line and as Sale tried in vain to hold out, flanker Henry Spencer barged his way under the posts.

Greg Lound added the extras and the scores were all square inside the first six minutes.

The game continued to flow from end to end and Sale added to their account thanks to a penalty from Johnson.

Five minutes later Moorhouse scored again after a strong run from Simon Griffiths who caught the ball off the back of a line-out. The conversion gave Sale a 10-point lead.

However, it was Rosslyn Park who managed to get themselves on the score sheet next by way of a rolling maul from their excellent pack, after Sale had repeatedly given away penalties for being offside at the breakdown.

These penalties then led to the visitors having a line-out on Sale’s five-metre line thanks to Lound who had given them territorial advantage.

From the line-out the maul gained momentum, crossing the line thanks to hooker Tom Vaughan-Edwards.

With Lound adding the extras, Sale’s lead was reduced to just three points.

In the second half it was Rosslyn Park who started much the stronger side, drawing first blood and taking the lead.

But a drop goal from Johnson on 60 minutes promised a possible salvation for Sale.

A try from Hugh Tizard and a penalty from Lound put that dream out of reach and secured the visitors a bonus-point win.