BEFORE kick off, most people were predicting a plethora of points as unbeaten Tynedale locked horns with free-scoring Sale, lying just one place below them in third in National League Two (North).

In fact, 50 points plus was a conservative estimate of the aggregate score before the referee's whistle sounded.

Seldom have so many people been so wrong, for the sides managed just one try each, and the only thing separating them at the final whistle was Rob Parker’s conversion.

But while tries were at a premium, this was no drab affair among the falling leaves of a dismal autumn afternoon.

It was blood and thunder stuff for the full 80 minutes, with the result in doubt right to the end of the nine minutes of added-on time the referee found from somewhere.

Nails were bitten to the quick as Tynedale defended quite magnificently for the last quarter to keep one of the promotion favourites at bay.

Tynedale hung on for the win, but there was no bonus point, meaning they lost slight ground on league leaders Stourbridge, who racked up their seventh successive bonus point win.

But this was a fine display by Tynedale, who kept their discipline throughout, not conceding a single penalty in the opening 40 minutes.

And while the penalties did come when Tynedale were under the cosh in the second period, including a yellow card for outstanding skipper Matty Outson, the home side hung on for a marvellous win.

The Manchester side played well, but occasionally let themselves down badly, twice having penalties reversed for back chat to the referee.

The only flaw in Tynedale’s game was the line-out, where too many throws ended up in opposition hands, and it was perhaps fortunate that, for once, the rub of the green from the referee seemed to go Tynedale's way at crucial points.

Tynedale were without leading scorer Ash Smith, and find of the season Guy Pike, both unavailable in the back division, as well as the redoubtable Jonny Cousin from the second row, ruled out with a badly gashed knee.

There was first home appearance of the season for last term’s leading scorer Oli Walker, and his return was a welcome one as it was him who scored Tynedale’s try in marvellous fashion.

Also making his seasonal debut was Graeme Dunn, on for Cousin, and he too made his mark with some good early line-out takes.

As ever, number eight Scott Powell and the energetic Outson played exceptionally well, and there were flashes of brilliance from the likes of Dan Taylor at fly half, Nick Cairns in the back row and James Spencer at full back.

Early morning rain had made the ball wet and slippery, and the early exchanges saw both sides drop the ball as promising moves were unfolding.

Tynedale had the first chance to draw blood in the 13th minute, when a promising Sale move from deep inside their own half was halted by the referee’s whistle, but Parker’s penalty attempt drifted wide.

At the other end, Sale fly half Chris Johnson spotted a gap on the edge of the 22, and seemed sure to score, but he was somehow held up over the line. The resulting scrum caused some anxious moments before Tyne managed to scramble the ball away.

The deadlock was broken on 31 minutes when Walker celebrated his return to Tynedale Park by weaving and battering his way through several tackles before touching down under the posts for Parker to convert and give Tynedale a 7-0 half time lead.

Parker shaved the post with a 49th minute penalty, but Sale cranked up the pressure well, with Outson finally sin-binned for a technical offence on the hour.

The resulting penalty was kicked to touch five metres out, and the resultant line-out catch and drive ended with a try for hooker Nick Dolly. Crucially, Johnson's conversion attempt drifted wide.

Will Miller could have eased Tynedale nerves with a superb break on 68 minutes, but the move petered out.

Sale staged a grandstand finish, knocking on the door repeatedly for the last 10 minutes, only to be repelled by stubborn Tynedale defence.

It seemed all over when five minutes into added time, the ball was whipped back to Johnson on the 22, but what would have been a match-winning drop goal was screwed wide and Tynedale saw out a fraught four further minutes before they claimed their magnificent seventh win on the bounce.

The tricky games continue for Tynedale as they head to South Leicester at the weekend looking to maintain their 100 per cent start to the campaign.

Their hosts have lost just two of their opening seven games, but are yet to be beaten at home where they have won three and drawn one.