Impressive Sale enjoy easy stroll in the Park

Sedgley Park ...... 10pts Sale ........................ 42pts

SALE have more or less been guaranteed a play-off spot following a 10-42 win away to third placed Sedgley Park.

The visitors were impressive from the very start in an encounter they dominated, and offered no respite to the home side who were on the back foo' right from the kick off.

With the home side starved of possession and territory, it was for then an encounter best forgotten forthem.

As for Sale, they are up there as being one of the best sides in the competition and that certainly shone through in their performance on the day.

Despite the dominance of the visitors, Sedge were the first to score through a penalty from Steve Collins but once the visitors got into their stride, and scored a great solo effort from Andrew Hughes off good ball from a line out, Sale were on their way to a rampant win.

Ciaran Connolly brought up the second again from a line out, the winger benefiting from some good hands across the line.

Coming up to the interval Oliver Longmore claimed the honours from a catch and drive, all tries converted by Liam McGovern for 3-21 at half time.

Sedgley came back in the second half with a try from Rob Birtwell, converted by Collins but with the Sale grip ever tightening, a break by Matt Postlethwaite created the opportunity for the supporting Sam Stelmszek to go in for the fourth and the bonus point, the scrum half picking up as the lock was held short of the line.

A loose kick out of defence by Sedge run back and with Postlethwaite storming through the replacement lock went over for the fifth.

Tom Ailes, who had worked hard all afternoon went in with just a few minutes remaining, the number eight forcing his through several weak tackles.

McGovern, as he was in the opening half, was successful with all three conversions.

"This was a great team performance and it would be wrong to single anyone player out." said Sale director of rugby Jonathon Keep.

"Park Lane is not the easiest of venues and being a local Manchester derby added just that bit more spice.

“However we had prepared well and I cannot fault the players for the commitment this afternoon and for a full 80 minutes effort."

Dean Schofield the Sedgley Park director of rugby, was very disappointed with the performance.

"We did not turn up and we certainly did not do ourselves justice this afternoon," he said. "We thought we were in with a good chance, especially on our own ground, but Sale were really up for this one and we will have to go back and prepare for the games to come."

With Sale now looking comfortable in second spot, it ius likely they will be at home to either Chinnor or Old Enthamians who are battling it out in National Two South.