■By GARETH DANIELS

Sale FC...............26pts
Tries: Mintern 17, Thunder 26, Dixon 51, Birchall 73
Conversions: Green 27, 52, 74

Blackheath ......21pts
Tries: Harding 9, Johnson 65, Briers 80
Conversions: Dalrymple 10, 66, 80
IN A fifth-versus-fourth encounter, Sale FC wrapped up the points to send home their fellow challengers Blackheath with the bitter taste of defeat.
Continuous pre-game rain made for a heavy pitch but gratefully the match started.
Even if that was with dry conditions, for the fans, with handling clearly weathered for both sides.
That slow start ...