Lions survive as Patrick heroics seal late glory

THE final throws of the 2023-24 season saw Sale take on Leicester Lions at Heywood Road, with the visitors looking for a victory to ensure their survival.

- GARETH DANIELS

Leicester were in front in next to no time when fly-half, Daniel Lewis, slotted a straightforward penalty from directly in front of the posts and he repeated the feat in the 18th minute to extend the lead to 6-0.

Sale were seeing plenty of the ball, but couldn’t make their pressure count and the visitors went further in front when a quick counter saw full-back, Joe Patrick, win a race for the ball and touch down; Lewis was on target again with the extras.

The Dogs finally got the scoreboard ticking when they stole a lineout and went through several phases, before centre Connor Doherty bullied his way over the whitewash, with James Robins converting for a 13-7 halftime scoreline.