South take the spoils

A thrilling match saw South achieve a bonus point win against unbeaten Sale. The game ebbed and flowed with the tide favouring both teams at various stages. South had a substantial HT lead but a fighting comeback by Sale put them in front only to be thwarted by a last minute winning try.

The hosts started strongly with an unconverted try afer 6 mins from Will Cave following a Adam Shaw tap penalty which caught Sale unawares. Liam McGovern reduced the arrears with a 17 min penalty but this was just an interlude in the South onslaught. Within 2 minutes the home sides tackling had put the visitors fly half under pressure and he threw out an unwise pass which captain Rickie Aley gratefully intercepted and he ran all the way to the line unimpeded, converting his own try. Ryan Hough quickly scored a further try after a tackle breaking run from the ubiquitous Gaz Turner.

Hough was again involved after taking Cairns pass from the base of the scrum in his own 22 the full back set Matt Cooke off on 30 metre run and again Cairns was on hand and he went over for a try converted by Aley. The captain adding another penalty. Just before the break Sale's Moorhouse went over. McGovern adding the extras. But this gave South a 29-10 HT lead.

The visitors came out for the second half and showed their intent immediately with an unconverted try from Curry. Two Aley penalties restored South's substantial lead and after 56 mins they were at 35-17 and still looking on course for a comfortable win.
A yellow card for Cooke after a mistimed high tackle resulted in a penalty try this put Sale back in the game. Taking advantage of South's reduced numbers the visitors Rawlings and Briggs (2) went over giving Sale a 35-39 lead. It was looking as if South had lost it until Cooke's last minute charge down the wing saw him touch down, Aley added a difficult conversion leaving South as the victors in a very entertaining and exciting match.

Mick McNeill