Sale 22 Otley 16

HOVERING just above relegation country Sale were delighted with their win but on a day when they were lucky to catch an Otley team whose line-out was at the best indifferent and their cover tackling, recently their strong point, failing at vital times.

It was a bright start from Otley, looking to have the push in the scrummages, although that did not last. Their adventurous outlook led to fatal errors, turnovers or penalties.

The early signs were good but they squandered promising positions with careless play. A scrum 1o metre out saw them lose possession, a rolling maul was held up on the Sale line and a kick and chase saw the ball just go dead.

Inevitably it was the home side who took the lead after 14 minutes, moving the ball well from a scrum 40m out. Winger John O’Donnell came inside to take a pass from his centre and, shrugged off tacklers to, race to the line. Flyhalf Liam McGovan added the conversion.

With half-time approaching, Otley should have been feeling comfortable to be just seven points in the lead. The conditions were difficult and a deliberate knock-on gave McGovan the chance to improve the home side's advantage to 10-0.

It was now the turn of Sale to experience the difficulties presented by the wind and when trying to run out from their 22 they lost possession.

Some crisp passing put Neil Chivers over for a try and Otley looked to improve on that when their forwards set up a drive. Unfortunately, they were penalised when they were over the line.

A second penalty at the subsequent line-out saw them forced back in their 22. Sale sensed their chance and their pack set up the initial drive which was later joined by the rest of the team to force lock William Davies over the line.

Joshua Cruise replied with a penalty but Sale responded with a try by centre Tom Davenport which McGovan converted.

With five minutes remaining Otley chased a bonus point when James Wood, with a typical run down his wing, scored and Cruise brought matters to a close with a penalty.