South take the draw
Both sides would have been disappointed with the result and leaves South just one place above the relegation zone
This was a disappointing day for the hosts as Sale let a fourteen point lead slip away when victory was a vital need.
The home side had a penalty chance in the first minute but Liam McGovern’s kick shaved the underside of the crossbar. South responded immediately taking play into Sale territory and a kick to the corner by Ricci Aley would have produced a try but for a superb tackle by Ciaran Connolly who put the South winger into touch just inches from the line.
The visitors were having the better of the play combining strong running with deft kicking which kept Sale on the back foot for much of the half. The first points came on 27 minutes when Sale were penalised twice for back chat and Aley secured a simple three point lead.
Approaching half time Sale put pressure on the visitors inside their own half and a penalty to touch set up a driving maul which put Adam Aigbokhae over and McGovern added the conversion for a 7-3 lead at the break.
The second half started with Sale having the better of the play and McGovern extended their lead with a penalty on forty four minutes. Five minutes later South were penalised in their own half and once again the lineout option paid dividends as another driving maul put Jake Pope over and McGovern secured the extras.
South came back strongly and although stopped from scoring by some fine Sale defence, the visitors moved the ball to Aley for him to chip over the defensive line to put Calum Gunn over and Aley made no mistake with the conversion.
On the hour South put in a kick to the corner and flanker Gareth Turner finished off the maul with a try converted by Aley to level the scores.
The final quarter saw both sides fail to score points although Liam McGovern was unlucky with a long range effort which rebounded off the post three minutes from time, and Aley saw his kick sail wide of the mark with the last play of the game.
The result has done little for Sale’s league position in fourteenth place and currently in the relegation zone.
Report from Sale FC web site
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