Moseley’s brief second half hopes were soon extinguished with a rampant finish from the home side

The opening exchanges would set the tone for an open, running game, sometimes punctuated with bouts of kick tennis. Moseley started the scoring, benefiting from an overthrown lineout, Ethan Priest gathering to cross from short distance, Harry Read with the extras.

It was not long before the home team found their stride, David Opoku-Fordjour running in from the left wing following a strong defensive set from the visitors, James Mitchell opening his account from the tee. The pair would combine again a few minutes later, this time  Opoku-Fordjour showing his strength at short range.

Moseley seemed to be irritating the referee and were paying the penalty, spending much time on the back foot and defending at short range. Mark Dixon and Josh Brown both benefited, before Joe Green finished a pacy move from the backs, Mitchell converting all three scores.

The visitors would finish the half strongly. A five metre catch and drive went to ground, and it was now Sale’s time to turn defensive, but to no avail. Fin Smith found a hole to burrow through, Read’s kick bringing the half time whistle.

The visiting support was given hope when Will Masters-Safe finished a strong opening to the second period from another catch and drive, Read continuing where he left off at half time. However, any romantic dreams of a fairy tale come back were soon dashed, Osian Roberts and Tom Walsh both scoring unconverted tries following some strong play from the home team.

The fans’ dreams were reignited once more with two quick tries, Ben Pogson finishing another catch and drive. Jack Condliffe would then initiate a break down the left hand side from within the Moseley ten metres, the ball going through several sets of hands with Ardal Yallop finishing a fine move, Read making it five from five and bringing the difference to 10 points.

Any lingering hopes were soon blown away as the home team lit the afterburners. They simply outpaced their visitors for what remained, Andrew Lamb scoring twice, the second a solo run from deep in his own half, before Walsh added his second. Joseph Green had converted the first before Mitchell returned to slot the other two and wrap up the final score.

Sale: Dixon, Opoku, Roberts, Mulchrone, Walsh, Mitchell, Green; Birchall, Brown, Parker, Vickers, Mintern, Rees, Bennett, Hughes

Replacements: Longmore, Thompson, Asatiani, Priestley-Nangle, Lamb

Birmingham Moseley: Condliffe, Armstrong, Nevitt, Creed, Decalmer, Read, Gipson; Priest, Pogson, Ma’a, Smith, Greaves, Safe, Edwards Yallop

Replacements: Read, Bingham, Allen, Owen, Glacklin

Scoreline: 66-35 (HT 35-14 )

Sale

Tries: Opoku(13, 18), Dixon(22), Brown(29), Green(32) Roberts(49), Walsh(56, 78), Lamb(67, 75)

Conversions: Mitchell(14, 19,23, 30, 33, 76, 79), Green(68)

Moseley

Tries: Priest(9), Smith(40) Safe(45), Pogson(59), Yallop(62)

Conversions: Read(10, 40, 46, 60, 63)