Sale Sharks secured a bonus point win in the Sharks derby as they did the double over northern rivals DMP Durham Sharks.
Sale dominated the scoreline in the first half, crossing three times but conceded significant possession as they were plagued by penalties with bottom side DMP unable to take advantage.
England Sevens player Jodie Ounsley scored on her home debut as Sale kept DMP quiet in the second half despite late attacks.
Wales international Lisa Neumann broke through DMP’s defence within four minutes to give Sale Sharks the lead, as Katy Daley-Mclean added the conversion.
DMP Durham Sharks got onto the board soon after as Jessica Wooden was penalised for not rolling away, Rosie Blount successfully converted.
Sale were reduced to fourteen players in the 27th minute as flanker Jess Elbeck was shown a yellow card as a result of Sale’s repeated ill-discipline but Jess Roberts wriggled through the DMP defence for her second try in two games, the conversion struck the post and bounced out.
Sale ended the half firmly on top and back to full strength, as Aisha Abu-Marzouq powered over for their third, a successful conversion saw the teams head into the break with Sale 19-3 ahead.
The home side picked up where they left off as Jodie Ounsley scored her first try for the club, speeding past the DMP defence before the conversion was narrowly missed.
Gwen Pyrs was shown a yellow card minutes into her return from injury, the Wales international went to the sinbin after a series of high tackles from Sale.
With just over ten minutes to go, Daley-Mclean executed a trademark Sale attack as she sent a cross-field kick into the arms of Neumann who got her second of the game and Daley-Mclean added the extras.
A late burst from the away side led by Jasmine Hazell was held up on the line as DMP failed to score a try for the sixth game this season.
Pictures courtesy of Simon Hall, with thanks.
