On a perfect day, with a decent pitch, a bus load of supporters in attendance, together with others from the ‘MowdenFamily’ who had travelled separately, unfortunately DMPRFC failed to meet the expectations in performance that their recent form had suggested.

Apart from some entertaining play in the opening 15 minutes, followed by a desperate late fight back in the last 10 minutes, the middle of the game from a DMPRFC perspective was eminently forgettable, containing a plethora of errors, missed kicks to touch, where no matter what the visitors tried, everything appeared disjointed and hurried.

Having said all that, to have gained 2 valuable bonus points from a 32 – 13 reverse score line, with less than ten minutes of time remaining, was testament to the will of the DMPRFC players resolve and willingness to ‘go for it’ despite the odds being stacked against them.

With Spanish international and home fly half Ameiano CALLE RIVAS always at the heart of proceedings throughout the game for Sale FC, it was he who broke onto the scoreboard, when after his side were repelled in numerous pick and drive efforts towards the visitor’s line, realising there was nothing else forthcoming , he calmly kicked a drop goal to put his side in front on the 5 minute mark. (3 – 0)

From that point, possession was dominated by the visitors, who with their usual power and pace, fashioned the opening and arguably best try of the game. Some excellent and accurate passing was instrumental in the end result, with visiting skipper and Canadian International flanker Matt HEATON applying the finishing touchdown. (3 – 5)

DMPRFC were awarded a penalty, which they kicked to touch, winning the subsequent lineout, which they drove deep into Sale territory, where In circumstances which mirrored the first try, but this time in the opposite corner, the ball was spun out across the line, where fast hands and a deft offload by visiting fullback Chris McTURK , allowed an easy run in by returning winger Shaun McCARTNEY. (3 – 10)

Shell-shocked by the two opening salvos, Sale regrouped and when visit,ng fly half Warren SEALS infringed at a ruck on his own line, CALLE RIVAS kicked an easy penalty (6 – 10).

Whilst reduced in numbers, from an attacking lineout, home No. 8 Ryan PARKINSON caught the visitors off guard taking the ball on the run at the front of the lineout in a set move, to then power on to the line for the try, (11– 10) to edge the home side ahead.

DMPRFC centre Garry LAW returned the lead back to the visiting side with a well struck penalty from 30 metres out, as the game edged towards the oranges and DMPRFC were back to a full complement. (11 – 13)

However, prior to the interval, from a midfield penalty, the home side kicked to touch, catching and driving the lineout over the visitors line, with home lock Matthew POSTLETHWAITE touching down, (16 – 11)and with CALLE RIVAS adding the conversion, Sale retook the lead, (18 – 13), which remained the score until the interval.

Within 3 minutes of the restart, Mowden found themselves once more reduced in numbers, when full back Chris McTURK was harshly yellow carded for a high tackle. With the game currently erring on the side of player safety, there appears to be a degree of uncertainty amongst officials in relation to the policing of this aspect of contact. In this game, McTURK was adjudged to have transgressed and was punished as the official saw fit.

Later in the game, an identical tackle was carried out by a Sale player on halfway, which was shouted up by the referee’s assistant and acknowledged by the referee. As DMPRFC had progressed forward with play, advantage was forthcoming, but the ball lost after some progress was made. The lost ball was retrieved by Sale and against the run of play, ran back at the Mowden defence, culminating in a try for winger Paolo ODOGWU (25 – 13), converted by CALLE RIVAS (27 – 13)

Maybe the official had called off the advantage, but did that mean that the culprit of the high tackle should have remained unpunished – which is what happened. Maybe one for the law book !

DMPRFC made the mistake of feeling ‘hard done by’ at this stage and Sale, sensing this, took full advantage, dominating possession, with DMPRFC on the back foot.

Just when DMPRFC began to think that they had ridden out the storm, a speculative short kick from CALLE RIVAS saw the ball bounce between defenders and found its way into the grateful arms of home centre and ex-Samoan International John LEOTA, who dotted down under the posts for the bonus point try. (30 – 13) The try was converted by CALLE RIVAS (32 – 13) to take Sale well ahead with 10 minutes remaining.

At this stage, DMPRFC could have capitulated, but chose to fight back, with first scrum half Matt DUDMAN touching down (32 – 18), converted by LAW (32 – 20), at the same time as Sale themselves were reduced in numbers, when prop Dan BIRCHALL was yellow carded for a ruck infringement.

As the clock ran down, Sale were all done, but DMPRFC mounted another successful attack, this time resulting in a try from back row replacement Simon UZOKWE (32 – 25), converted by Warren SEALS (32 – 27) which took the visitors into a try bonus point position.

DMPRFC were now in control, however, time ran out for any further progress and DMPRFC had to settle for an additional losing bonus point.