Johnson leads the charge as Sale stride on

JUST two games into the new season, but newly-promoted Sale are already making headway after following up a draw in their opening game by cruising to a home win against Caldy at Heywood Road.

Star man Chris Johnson, who was presented with his award by the US taekwondo team, fired Sale in front after six minutes before scrum-half Ben Jones levelled.

Sale were back in front after a collapsed maul led to the referee awarding a penalty try, but Jones narrowed the deficit to a single point with a pair of wellstruck penalties.

Sale, though, built a healthier lead before the break. Aaron Reed embarked on a mazy run through the midfield and the ball was eventually recycled for Jonty Rawcliffe to dive over with Johnson converting, making it 17-9 at half-time.

Sale lost Reed to a yellow card for a deliberate knockon and they were immediately punished as winger Nick Royle sliced through them a minute later with Jones converting for 17-16.

Johnson kept his composure and nerve to fire over two more penalties for Sale, but a single three-pointer from Jones set up a grandstand finish.

Despite Sale's resilient defence, it looked as if Caldy might get a share of the spoils when winger Luke Hibbard dived over.

However, Jones sent his conversion attempt agonisingly wide.