Sale Sharks failed to follow up their strong performance at Sandy Park over Exeter with another win as they were beaten at home by Ealing Trailfinders 20-33.
Sale did manage to get on the board early as Vicky Irwin slotted a penalty from in front of the sticks after a string of Ealing penalties cost them the opening points just seven minutes into the game.
It took Ealing ten minutes to respond as Sale defended doggedly in their own 22’. Julia Schell finding a gap from close range and darting through before converting her own score to put Ealing 3-7 ahead.
Trailfinders captain Kate Zachary was next on the scoresheet, again from close range as the visitors extended their lead before Sale responded with Olivia Ortiz. The USA international carved through from thirty metres and won the footrace to score Sale’s first try of the game.
The scoring continued before half time as Grace White snuck over in the far corner to make it 8-19 as the players headed off for half time.
Ealing looked stronger in the second half and made it pay early as Schell went over for her second, seven minutes into the second forty.
Sharks’ replacement hooker Scarlett Fielding fought her way over just before the hour mark as a fierce driving maul earned Sale their second try of the game before the teams exchanged tries with the clock winding down. Ealing first with Abi Burton getting over before Erica Jarrell forced her way over with a strong finish in the corner to give Sale hope of a bonus point at the death.
Unfortunately for the home team, time expired before they could hunt for their fourth try and Ealing leave Heywood Road with all five points. Sale will have their final home game next weekend against Gloucester-Hartpury, with tickets available now, before heading to Saracens on the final day of the season.
