Amlin Challenge Cup JOE Ford slotted over a crucial drop goal with the final kick of the game to salvage a losing bonus point for Sale Sharks. With Biarritz winning at Worcester, Group One is going to go right down to the wire at this rate with Sharks due to visit Biarritz in January in Round 6.

Sale Sharks flew out to Geneva the day before the game and stayed at a hotel in the town of Oyonnax, 23 miles over the Swiss border.

Nick Macleod kicked off but Sharks were soon behind when an error by Marc Jones who tried to kick a loose ball away put pressure on the Sharks defence. Sharks were forced to give away a penalty which Benjamin Urdapilleta kicked easily 0-3.

Sale were playing some very attractive flowing rugby and opened their account on 13 minutes with a clever defence splitting kick by Rob Miller bounced nicely for Phil MacKenzie who caught the ball and sent his opposite number the wrong way and touched down. The Italian referee went to the TMO for a second opinion and seemed out of breath as he asked for help! Macleod converted and Sharks led 7-3 On 17 minutes Oyonnax were awarded another penalty which Urdapilleta kicked with ease. 7-6 The home side buoyed by this scored their first ever try in the Amlin Cup on 20 minutes when Figeurola took a quick tap penalty and darted in for a score. Urdapilleta converted and the home side led 7-13.

On 74 minutes Sale were penalised at the scrum for not binding properly and substitute Nicolas Vuillemin kicked a crucial penalty to put the home side 7-16 ahead and more importantly Sale were out of losing bonus point range. However with the very last play of the game Joe Ford slotted a perfect drop goal for what could be a crucial bonus point at the final reckoning.