BIRMINGHAM Moseley’s survival fears in National League One were not eased last week as Sale FC beat them in horrendous conditions in the final game before all rugby activity was suspended.

On a cold and windy Thursday night at Heywood Road, Sale initiated a period of heavy pressure as Chris Johnson kicked towards the corner, Jeremy To’a chasing hard but unfortunately beaten by the covering defender.

Three minutes in another line-out on the opposite side saw Sale dominate a rolling maul and they crashed over the whitewash for a penalty try.

Moseley then worked themselves downfield as they mounted a series of grubbers, gaining territory deep into the Sale half.

The pressure was on as Birmingham shaped to the corner with a penalty. Another infringement resulted in a penalty which fly-half Ben Palmer converted.

In a terrific contest, physicality came into play with some big hits as both teams fought for possession and territory.

There was a close call when the ball was charged down by Sale’s Stone Priestley-Nangle, but Palmer hacked it into touch.

Late in the half the pressure told at a five-metre lineout as Patrick Ah Van made a break from a poorly placed kick. He offloaded to Johnson who stormed towards the line and sent Priestley-Nangle over in the corner, a good conversion made by Johnson.

Penalty after penalty came for Sale before the referee showed Moseley’s Morgan Dawes a yellow card.

With Moseley finally gaining yardage into opposition territory, a penalty was taken quickly by replacement scrum-half Sam Pointon who darted in uncontested from the 22. Palmer converted to make it 21-10 after 70 minutes.

Sale moved deep into enemy territory after an offload from Jake Pope on halfway, and To’a accelerated down the touchline before being brought down in the Moseley 22.

Play was shifted quickly along the line with Fergus Mulchrone forcing his way over the line for a try to complete the scoring.