Sat 29 Jan 2022, 14:30
Tykes’ captain Will Smith was left frustrated after his side finished with just a single league point to show for their efforts, as Sale FC edged a feisty encounter at the Sycamores.
The visitors clung on, despite being a man light for much of the game. Daniel Birchall was dismissed for a bit of a shoulder charge on his opposite number Dom Hardman at scrum-time. Our neighbours from across the Pennines were depleted further to 13 men when Matthew Bradley was yellow-carded for a deliberate knock-on. Josh Peace and the afore-mentioned Hardman also saw yellow in a spicy affair.
As has become customary for the Tykes, they produced a spirited second-half fightback to get within touching distance of claiming the spoils.
Jack Metcalf, who was first introduced to the game as a former West Park Leeds Colt, opened the scoring at 7 minutes to ironic cheers; James Robins judged the wind perfectly to make the conversion.
Charlie Venables, fresh from his heroics against Rams, continued his purple patch and landed a penalty from 25m. The full-back struck again 9 minutes later to reduce the arrears to a single point.
Despite being a man down, the Mancunians utilised their experienced pack to lay a platform for Jake Barron to dive over. Robins’ conversion made it 6-14 at half-time.
The Tykes’ only try of the game came courtesy of Harry Robinson, who was unfortunate not to score earlier. The centre was hauled down just short of the try line after great feet left the Sale defensive line in his wake. The forwards, working hard in support, were inexplicably judged to have been held up despite the ball being still in play and the next man being readied to barge over the whitewash.
The lively Robinson got his just rewards on 54 minutes as quick distribution from the base allowed the backs to exploit an overlap out wide. Venables added the extras to reduce the margin to a single point once again with help from the wind.
The closing stages were beset by handling errors and ill-discipline as both sides coughed up the ball in promising positions. Having sought reassurances from the referee that it was the last play, the visitors opted to take a shot at goal, which was successful to give a final score of 13-17.
Despite being relieved to leave his old stomping ground with the win, Sale FC full-back Metcalf spoke fondly of his home-town club. “This club will always hold a special place in my heart, and I’d love to see Leeds Tykes back in the Championship.”
Tykes Head Coach Jon Callard praised his side’s efforts, saying: “When you get the accolades of the opposition coach saying, ‘your guys work hard’, that’s credit to them. Whilst we are glad to get a point, there are still improvements to be made. Hopefully it will come with time, and we will start to get the rewards for all our work.”
