Verbickas delighted as Lavin lets loose

Sale FC .................. 26pts Caldy ...................... 38pts

CALDY head coach Simon Verbickas expressed his pleasure in talismanic playmaker Jack Lavin as his side came out in a topsy-turvy thriller at Sale.

Inside centre Lavin – who achieved a ‘full house’ by scoring a try, three conversions, three penalties and a drop goal – was the catalyst for the league leaders’ win, who also scored through Josiah Dickinson, Nicholas Royle and Forbes Edwards on their way to a try-bonus point.

Sale had Adam Aigbokhae and Scott Rawlings to thank for their tries as they were unfortunate to come away with nothing following an impressive performance – which Verbickas was quick to acknowledge.

“This was a tremendous battle,” he said. “Honestly, our defence probably made the difference.

“Full credit to two really good north-west sides who put on a feast of rugby.

“We are pleased to come out on top but it was a close game as we knew it would be.

“In midfield, the combination of Jack Lavin and Rhys Hayes gave us an advantage which allowed us to score against a very good side.”

Aigbokhae had opened the scoring for the hosts on seven minutes, receiving a pop pass from Jack Moorhouse to cross following several phases of pressure.

Caldy replied just six minutes later, with Dickinson driving over from a close-range lineout shove after Sale had failed to clear effectively.

Sale fly-half Christopher Johnson and Lavin exchanged penalties before Caldy crossed the whitewash again on 34 minutes.

Hooker Edward Stagg broke and Royle was in support to dive over in the corner to open up an eightpoint lead.

Sale full-back Liam McGovern pegged the lead back to five with a penalty before half-time, but Lavin took just three minutes after the break to restore their lead from the tee.

A drop goal from Matthew Simpson and another penalty from McGovern brought Sale to within two points before they edged themselves in front on 58 minutes.

Centre Rawlings proved himself difficult to stop as he somehow managed to force his way through would-be tacklers and ground the ball.

Caldy took ten minutes to respond but once they did, it was one-way traffic until the final whistle.

Edwards crossed on 68 minutes following a flowing backs move, with Lavin adding the extras to put Caldy back in front.

Four minutes later, Lavin got his deserved try as he stepped McGovern following a break to touch down by the posts before completing his set with a last-minute drop goal.

Speaking after the defeat, Sale director of rugby Jonathan Keep said: “There’s lots to be pleased with. It was excellent work by the lads.

“Despite the result, this proves we are able to compete against the biggest teams at this level and we’ll take what we learnt into next week.”