STEVE HAZZ MATCH REPORT
Tigers 27 – 22 Sale FC
A much-anticipated local derby saw the Tigers host close rivals Sale FC on Saturday. Historically, honours have been shared evenly between the two sides, with both teams strong on home turf. Both had suffered opening-day defeats, and we were eager to bounce back after last week’s last-minute loss to Rams.
Training in the week had gone well, and we welcomed back fly half Oli Glasse and full back Andy Riley, replacing the injured Charlie Wardle and Josh Ree.
First Half
The Tigers started brightly, taking the game to Sale from the kick-off. A sharp line break by centre Zane Ainsley opened the defence, and scrum half Jacob Tansey finished well under the posts. Glasse added the extras, giving us a 7–0 lead inside four minutes.
Sale hit back swiftly, their scrum half sniping blind from a five-metre scrum to score on nine minutes. The conversion was missed, leaving the score 7–5.
Undeterred, we struck again. Playing with pace, tempo and width, young winger Sam Thorpe cut through to finish our second try. Glasse converted: 14–5 after just twelve minutes.
Five minutes later Glasse extended the lead with a penalty, making it 17–5. Sale responded on 22 minutes with a second try, but once more we had the answer. Another incisive line break from Ainsley saw him cross for our third, Glasse again accurate with the boot.
Half-time: Tigers 24 – 10 Sale. A thrilling half of flowing, attacking rugby.
Second Half
The weather turned after the restart, with torrential rain and swirling wind making handling conditions difficult. Despite this, the Tigers continued to press Sale in their own half. Defence was excellent: strong two-man tackles, quick line speed, and committed kick chases.
On 52 minutes, Glasse slotted another penalty to push the lead to 27–10. Sale rallied, their forwards driving powerfully to set up a converted try that cut the margin to 27–17.
The closing stages were tense. With the Tigers defending bravely, Sale piled on the pressure. Deep into added time, the referee awarded them a try in the corner. The conversion was missed, and the whistle blew on a hard-fought 27–22 victory for the Tigers.
This was truly a game of two halves: free-flowing rugby in the first period, followed by a war of attrition in the second. The whole squad worked tirelessly, and every player deserves credit for commitment and effort.
Star player went to fly half Oli Glasse, whose excellent performance and 12 points with the boot proved decisive.
Next Saturday we travel to old Yorkshire rivals Leeds Tykes, promoted last season. We have not faced them in several years, so please make the short journey over the hill and get behind your Tigers!