The first game of 2026 and a drab, dreary and sodden day to welcome our visitors, Sale FC. The last two fixtures against this side were 1 win and 1 loss – in November of last year Spitfires were beaten 25-33 in the Round 1 of the Cheshire Cup, and before that in April 2025, we beat them rather convincingly at home by 50 points to 12.
All was set then for a good match at home, and a few scores to settle for our loss in the Cheshire Cup. Sale kicked off deep into Spitfires 22 and taken cleanly by Howard who took the ball to contact and passed out to Smith on the left wing before passing inside again to Coveney-Winter who, drove through the Sale defenders and sprinted for the corner. Two minutes in and Spitfires 5 points up. This was to be the flavour of the day where Spitfires pressed well and used space wisely. Howard kicked for space from a midfield breakdown and chased the ball well which was gathered by Sale and kicked to touch, the ball taken cleanly on the line by Loughlin who counterattacked taking the ball some 30 yards before Kitchen went over for the second try. Spitfires were thinking about their game and the forwards worked hard to grind out the advantage; Nelson, Harrison, Roberts and Bonner showing some real skill and handling.
The moment of the first half however came from a cleanly taken line out just inside the spitfire’s half, and nice backs move saw Beisley break through the midfield, beating several before chipping over the head of the Sale full-back, taking cleanly and running in for the third unanswered try. A wonderful display of confidence backed up by real ability.
The second half was much of the same with Smith making some lovely ground, replete with side-steps and ultimately going over for a try, before Coveney-Winter went over for his second of the match.
Undoubtedly Spitfires wanted the win and with confidence boosted from early tries they showed real flair and skill. Some lovely back moves gave them open space to attack with the forwards doing the hard graft to retain the ball. By all accounts Sale were missing a few players, but its results that matter and what an excellent way to open 2026.
Well played lads.

Onwards!