Sale FC 27-41 Taunton Titans

National One Rugby: Sale FC 27-41 Taunton Titans

The conditions 200 miles North of Taunton were warm and sunny with a strong cross wind on a soft pitch.

The average points scored in the previous five encounters between the clubs, numbered 70.

Sale required two points for safety and the Titans five to stay in contention to avoid relegation.

The foundations were laid for an intriguing afternoon and an attritional 80 minutes of end-to-end rugby unfolded, writes Hugh Duder.

Sale opened the scoring gaining territory from their kick off Titans defending their lines for nine minutes before yielding the points non converted.

Two minutes later Oscar Stewart replied for Taunton levelling the scores up at 5-5.

Sale regained the lead on 23 minutes gathering in a favoured bounce 12-5. Then minutes later a brilliant run by Sam Prior (who was on fire)took play into the Sale 22 and after short inter passing Charlie Wright went over and Louis Sinclair converted drawing Titans level at 12-12.

Soon after Sale were back in front after a Titans error, the linesman confirming the try for 17-12.

Taunton’s turn next and on 33 minutes the ever-present Ratu Vatalutukali scored a captains try converted again by Sinclair and Titans led 17-19.

What followed next was an incredible session of inter passing started by Frankie Dart just outside Titans 22 with Charlie Wright the last recipient scoring his second try (and his 18^th of the season)again converted by Sinclair bringing up the bonus point.

Half time Sale 17, Taunton 26.

Sale opened the scoring at the start of the second half with a try, the conversion falling short for 22-26. Momentum with Sale and the game was now in the balance.

On 46 minutes it was captain Vatalutukali who was having an inspiring match running in from halfway dodging tackles using his strength scoring his second try for 22-31.

63 minutes in Sinclair got a second chance of a penalty, the wind took hold of his first one minute earlier, but the second was perfectly taken for 22-34.

Oliver Schuster-Wood’s converted try sealed the game on 69minutes, 22-41.

Titans had to defend game fully for the last ten minutes and Sale scored in the last of them for the final score of 27-41.

The whole squad to a man contributed to the win and after Elvis Taione said the Sale players were in shock as to the intensity Taunton had shown.

The loyal travelling supporters were indeed rewarded and with two games to go, Cinderford at home this Saturday April 13 and Blackheath away on April 27.

Please head down and support your Division One team as they try to retain their status at this level.

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