Mowden Win At Sale

Mowden produced a strong team performance on Saturday to take an important win on a sweltering day in the North East. A measured start saw Mowden take the lead through the boot of Josh Ree, the only score after a closely fought opening quarter. After a much needed water break it was DMP who doubled their lead through another Ree penalty. Sale finished the half strongly however, with Nev Edwards finishing well in the right corner to edge the hosts ahead. An injury to Bernardo Nogueira led to a lengthy stoppage on the eve of half time, before Sale scored their second try on the resumption of play when Sam Adu dived over out wide. Matt Bradley converted both first half tries to give Sale a 14-6 lead at the break.

DMP would like to thank Sale FC's medical team for their brilliant work in administering treatment to Nogueira at the end of the first 40. Bernardo was transported to the local A&E and discharged the same day. He is recovering well and we hope to see him back on the field very soon.

DMP made a flying start to the second half, with Joe Craggs feeding Callum Pascoe for an opportunistic try in the left corner. Ree converted well from out wide, before adding a penalty minutes later to edge the visitors 14-16 ahead. Mowden continued their strong start to the half when Yaree Fantini broke clear from a lineout on half way, with Ben Frankland racing away for try number 2. Josh Ree was unable to convert, leaving DMP's lead at 7. Sale responded well, and levelled the scored when Mark Dixon squeezed over with 10 minutes to play. This set up a grandstand finish, and DMP's fitness shone through as they finished the game strongly. The standout Frankland almost crossed for DMP's third of the afternoon, but the Sale fullback covered well to prevent a certain try. Mowden didn't have to wait long for the decisive score however, as Frankland found a gap in the Sale defence before feeding Ree who dived over. The conversion took the lead to 7, and Mowden could have denied Sale a losing bonus point with the last kick of the game as Ree's 80th minute penalty sailed wide.

Asked about the performance, Director of Rugby Garry Law said: "A great win away from home at what has been a bit of a fortress for Sale. Even when we did go behind just before half time the team didn't panic and showed great fight and intensity in our attacking play which ultimately was the difference on the day. There were some outstanding individual performances but special mention to Ben Frankland who was a constant threat and managed to break the line regularly in the second half especially."

"We won't get carried away as we know we still made lots of mistakes and kept Sale in the game at times, but we must take great confidence and trust the way we have to play in order to be successful."