Rosslyn Park 36 – 34 Sale FC
21/02/26
Rosslyn Park beat Sale FC at The Rock with a dramatic penalty in the final two minutes. Park fly-half Bill Johnston slotted three points before, in the dying embers, Sale’s Sean Street missed the posts to gift the hosts all five league points.
Park started the brighter of the two sides. Charlie Walker converted sustained pressure in the Sale 22 when he found a gap out wide and went over. Merely two minutes later he doubled his tally after a fantastic break from Ewan Fenley put Park on the front foot, before he finished again in the corner. The trusty boot of Johnston ensured a 14-point lead.
However, on the stroke of ten minutes, Sale’s Dylan Hokinson peeled off a maul to cut the deficit to nine. Park responded well; after a clever kick in midfield, James Cordy-Redden dived over to give Park another cushion.
A tough 25-minute spell then ensued for the hosts. After continued pressure and some clever play out wide, Joe Green went over to score, converting his own try to make it the full seven.
Things got better for the visitors on the 30-minute mark when Corbin Thunder peeled off a maul to score, before, on the stroke of half-time, Joe Green grabbed his second after a quick tap to ensure the visitors went into the sheds with a 24–21 lead.
The second half continued in the same vein for Sale as Tom Walsh crashed over after multiple phases on the Park line.
Park, however, managed to find their footing. Some neat hands from Tom Stanton allowed Joe Luca Smith to sneak over for a try. But that comeback looked to be short-lived when, on 54 minutes, Alfie Longstaff peeled off another maul to score and make it 34–26.
Park weren’t finished yet. Finding another gear, the hosts ensured Sale remained pinned on their line, and that pressure took its toll when Hodkinson saw yellow for multiple infringements.
Three minutes later, Park made it a one-point game when a superb line from Ed Volley at close range ensured the final 15 minutes would be tense.
The remainder of the half was tight, with both sides exchanging penalties before Sale were penalised for offside in the 78th minute. Up stepped Bill Johnston, who kicked the ball straight through the posts to give Park a two-point lead.
But the drama wasn’t over. Immediately from the kick-off, Sale won a turnover penalty from 40 metres out. With a chance to win it, Mark Dixon came agonisingly close before the ball drifted wide.
An excellent win for Park, but an agonising day for Sale.
Rosslyn Park
Tries: Walker (2’, 4’), Cordy-Redden (12’), Smith (46’), Volley (62’)
Conversions: Johnston (3’, 5’, 15’, 63’)
Penalties: Johnston (78’)
Yellow Cards: n/a
Team: Nwakor, Fraine, Wade, Cleet, Gillanders, Orchard, King, Digby (c), Fenley, Johnston, Marfo, Cordy-Redden, Stanton, Walker, Smith
Replacements: Piper, Cade, Screene, Redpath, Volley
Sale FC
Tries: Mintern (8’), Green (22’, 39’), Hodkinson (31’), Walsh (42’), Longstaff (54’)
Conversions: Green (23’, 40’)
Penalties: n/a
Yellow Cards: Mintern (60’)
Team: Charlie, Langdon, Bell, Mintern, Hodkinson, Hughes (c), Thunder, Priestley-Nangle, Green, Mulchrone, Walsh, Robins, Roberts, Davey, Dixon
Replacements: Birchall, Longstaff, Parker, Edwards, Street