SALE FC tumbled to their 15th defeat of the season as Chester stand-off Rhys Hayes claimed a 21-point haul to steer the hosts to a bonus-point 41-26 win on Saturday – their first since early March, while Sale dropped into the National League Two (North) relegation zone with just four games remaining.

As early as the fourth minute Chester were ahead when Hayes fired a pass to winger Craig Ross to touch down following a quick tap penalty, as Sale were still retreating the statutory 10 metres, and Hayes then added the conversion.

Liam McGovern kicked a penalty following the restart but Sale conceded one almost immediately and with another Chester attack ending with former Sale player Carwyn Williams touching down for a converted try the hosts held a 14-point lead at the end of the first quarter.

McGovern chipped away at that advantage with a second penalty as Sale began to put pressure on the home side for the first time and that ended with Nick Flynn touching down and McGovern adding the extras.

Once again Sale errors allowed the home side to gain an advantage as a poor line-out created an opportunity for the ball to go down the backs and Ross scored his second try with Hayes again adding the extras.

Late in the half a fine tap and go from Sam Stelmaszek set up a Sale attack which ended with Jack Moorhouse scoring the try and with McGovern adding the conversion he moved past 1,000 points for Sale in competitive matches.

In the second half Hayes added a penalty after Adam Aigbokhae received a yellow card, and the stand-off then secured possession from a high kick to race deep into Sale territory before side-stepping the last line of defence for a converted try.

McGovern added two further penalties in quick succession but Chester had the final say when lock Ross White stormed in for a try and Hayes secured his points haul with the last conversion.