Sat 8 Jan 2022, 14:00
A cold front brought wet and windy weather, The weather was not as bad as for our first visit to Heywood Road and fortunately the rain stopped just before kick-off, but there was a strong wing blowing toward Grantchester Road.
Cambridge played the first half into the wind and that kept us pinned in our own half. For thirty-five minutes, Sale launched wave after wave of attacks, and Cambridge drove them back. You could say that it was an irresistible force meeting an immovable object, but Cambridge were not just unmoveable, they drove Sales back. Finally, however, the dam broke and Sale managed to score in the corner. The kick went wild
Cambridge were then able to mount their only significant attack of the half A pair of penalties gave us a position in the corner, it looked like an opportunity for a catch and drive, but Sale knew what was coming, and it was their turn to be unmoveable. They stopped the drive, won a scrum and sir sent us in for half-time. We were 0-5 down, but how much was that wind worth.
The weather in the second half was if anything worse, with the rain returning for a period.
From the kick-off, another crunching tackle, a break and then Joe Green somehow found space stepping round a Sale defender and racing for the line.
Sale struck back almost immediately, winning a penalty, and choosing to kick the points, 5-8.
Cambridge had another opportunity, with Kieran Frost breaking through. He looked clear and possibly should had run through the Sale defence but looked for the offload which went forward.
A few minutes later, Sale were able to stretch their lead with another penalty.
Cambridge cut the deficit immediately, a sweeping movement finally finished by Andrew Henderson. The conversion went wide but we were back within one, 10-11.
But not for long, Sale took the restart quickly before we were organized, and we gave away another penalty, which again was kicked, 10-14. Fifteen minutes to go.
We almost gave up another score, when Sale charge down a clearance kick, but fortunately this time it went over the dead ball line before they could touch down.
We won another penalty, which we kicked to touch. I was chatting with the touch judge on the far side, who said it was brave and he would have kicked for goal. I pointed out our record, but he said we did not play the team in third every week.
Sale did initially stop the drive, but we moved the ball, Mat Hema cut back against the drift and dotted down close to the posts. That gave Joe Tarrant an easy kick, and we were up 17-14. As he trotted back, the touch judge did admit he was wrong.
That left us with six or so minutes to defend a lead. Sale regained the kick-off and looked to keep the ball alive. They looked to have scored, but the ref chalked it off for a forward pass - forced by another hard tackle.
We won a penalty and cleared to halfway, this was the final play, but could not throw in straight. So, Sale had a final chance to attack. They go deep into our twenty-two, but another power tackle earned us a penalty for holding on – which Joe was able to kick dead for full time.
It was an immense effort from all eighteen players – Will and Lawrence were not used - our forwards had dominance in the set piece, and in the loose. The Sale backs looked good, they kept the ball well, had slick passing and ran good-looking lines. Sale’s fly half had a great game, his kicking, especially his grubber kicks into the wind, was the reason Sale had so much territory in the second half. Cambridge’s backs, however, were effective. We took most of our chances and shut down almost all of theirs - including most importantly their opportunity to snatch it at the end.
Sale’s bonus point means we are level on points but remain in fifth as Sale have more wins. We have a bye-week next week, before taking on Cinderford. But you do not have to go without rugby, as we have a friendly against Durham University next week.
Final Score
Cambridge 17 – 14 Sale FC
Scorers
Tries: Green, Henderson, Hema
Conversion: Patrick
