Win takes Sale within reach of league title

Sale ........................ 45pts Huddersfield ...... 10pts

SALE are just one win away from promotion to National One but director of rugby Jonathan Keep refuses to get ahead of himself until it’s a mathematical certainty.

A win over Leicester Lions next week will Sale go up as champions as they recorded their 15th consecutive home success yesterday.

The hosts scored six tries in total and are just a point ahead of promotion rivals Sedgley Park but have played a game less.

“Until it is actually guaranteed I refuse to think about playing in the league above.” Keep said.

“We have two games now to get four points, but we aim to get a win next week to seal it. It was obviously a good day for a bit of running rugby.

“I think we came out and played the tactical, direct game that we wanted to.”

On a glorious, sunny afternoon for their final home game this season, Sale dominated right from the opening minutes but were held up over the tryline multiple times.

Eventually, Chris Johnson drove over with five minutes gone and the flyhalf stepped up and converted his own score – the beginnings of what became an 18-point haul.

In a fine all-round display from Johnson, he even single-handedly won the sole penalty that he kicked, encapsulating his personal dominance over the away side.

Sale earnt their bonus point when referee Benjamin Davis awarded them a penalty try on the stroke of the interval after Tom Ailes and Chris Mayor had also crossed for the home side.

Huddersfield had got on the scoreboard with a ninth-minute Joel Hinchliffe penalty but they were unable to add to their tally until early in the secondhalf.

Inside centre Harry Davey weaved down the right touchline and scored in the corner to the delight of the many travelling fans. A tight-angled conversion by Hinchcliffe earned the visitors more points, but they never looked like coming back in this one as the home side kept control of the encounter.

Jake Barron and Jack Moorhouse added late converted tries to put Sale well out of Huddersfield’s reach as the hosts put one hand on the trophy. Huddersfield head coach Gareth Lewis knew his side were in for a difficult game, but believes they made it too easy for Keep’s men by committing errors at crucial times.

“It was always going to be a tough afternoon, they are top of the league for a reason,” he said.

“I just thought our errors gave them opportunities and they were very clinical and took their chances. Certainly, four tries were our own doing, and they capitalised on it.

“I am proud of how the boys played today, we knew it was a shot to nothing, but we went out there and played some pretty good stuff.”

Huddersfield play South Leicester at home next Saturday with Lewis describing it as a “must win” as Field looking to finish their first season back in National 2 North on a high.