Replacements 16.James Flynn (not used), 17.Aston Croall for Dickinson (49), 18.Ross Harrison for Thomas (49), 19.Mike Finnemore for Bordill (66), 20.Jonny Kenny (not used), 21.Nathan Fowles for Jennings (H/T), 22.Taylor Welch for Haley (51), 23.Sam Bedlow for Harty (72)
Replacements 16.Nicolo Nyemba for McGuigan (77), 17.James Hallam for Shiells (H/T), 18.Matthew Lowes for Wilson (77), 19.Josh Pettet for Wearmouth (50), 20.Finlay Coxon-Smith for Van Den Dries (69), 21.Jonny Burn for Pasqualin (69), 22.Simon Hammersley for Harris (50), 23.Sam Hanks for Hodgson (69)
Props Henry Thomas and Alasdair Dickinson returned from injury and got through 49 minutes of match time seemingly unscathed. Thomas made a strong run with three minutes gone, but it was the last seen of the Jets as an attacking force for twenty minutes.
Falcons were camped in the Jets half and, following raids by Helleur and Tait, made the most of a maul to score a forwards' try from hooker McGuigan with eight minutes gone. Hodgson made a nervous start, missing the conversion and a straightforward penalty chance four minutes later.
Sale Jets were 'under the cosh' and gave away too many penalties. For the visitors, Harris and Tait made incisive runs deep into the home defence. Try number two, on 23 minutes, was a replica of the first, only on the other wing with McGuigan again getting the touchdown. Hodgson found his range to add the conversion for a 0-12 scoreline.
Bordill and Emerson - the Jets' standout performer - replied with spirit, and Davies was wide with a long penalty attempt. Before the break, the Jets strung together some well-formed attacks, with Jennings and Davies prominent, but a combination of handling errors and sound defence prevented any further scoring.
An injury to Jennings led to a shuffle for the second half, with Fowles and Cliff forming the half back combination, allowing Davies to go back to centre. Tait thwarted an early James burst, Kennedy and Emerson made strong surgse, but the game became very quiet as the replacements started to be made.
Ten minutes into the second half, the Falcons scored yet another close-quarters try after a maul, Wilson scoring for Hodgson to convert. Welch and Ingall combined well down the left and the Jets were denied a try after 67 minutes when there was double movement in the act of 'scoring'.
The Jets gained a consolation try with six minutes left, replacement flanker Finnemore dotting down after good work by the home forwards. Davies drop kicked the conversion.
Jets' coach Pete Anglesea recognised that his side was second-best on the night, affording due credit to a hardworking, physical Falcons team.
Scoring (Jets first): 0-5, 0-12 (Half Time) 0-19, 7-19
Attendance 246
Referee: Ian Tempest
Other results: Northampton Wanderers 47 - 14 Leicester Tigers;
Worcester Cavaliers 0 - 82 Gloucester United
