NEWCASTLE Falcons felt the wrath of Sharks as they were thumped 53-10 at Edgeley Park on Sunday.

Stung by their 29-19 defeat to Wasps in midweek, Sale simply tore their opponents to shreds, running in eight tries to thrust themselves back into play-off contention.

Chris Bell and Juan Fernandez Lobbe scored two tries apiece but it was full back Ben Foden who truly dazzled.

The 22-year-old scored a try, had a hand in two others and generally terrified Falcons with his bright and incisive running. Sharks' coaches, players, supporters - and even this observer - will be saying a collective prayer between now and the end of the season that he may still stay at Edgeley Park.

It was clear from the start that Sale were in rampant mood.

They ran the ball at every opportunity and sliced open the Newcastle defence within just two minutes, Bell racing through a gap to score the first of his two tries.

A superb break from Foden was halted soon after but Sharks kept up the pressure and the visitors crumbled from a defensive scrum, allowing Selorm Kuadey to snatch the loose ball and race in at the corner.

The punishment just kept on coming for Newcastle, as Sale's forwards kept pounding at their defence and from that strong platform, Charlie Hodgson released Bell to score. Hodgson's conversion put his side 17-0 and virtually out of sight.

Falcons weren't about to let the hosts have it all their own way though and, to the surprise of the home crowd, they attempted to launch a comeback, piling pressure on the Sharks line.

But Sale proved they were equally as skilled in defence as they were in attack, repelling Newcastle's advances before wrapping up the bonus point within 34 minutes.

A sweeping move saw them advance quickly downfield and Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe set up brother Juan to score, Hodgson again converting.

The visitors got belated reward for their earlier endeavour on the stroke of half time though, Sean Tomes turning forward pressure into points and Rob Miller adding the extras.

Miller added a penalty to further close the gap after the break, but Newcastle soon found themselves completely overrun.

Sale made it clear who was the boss as Hodgson responded with a penalty of his own but the rout started in earnest when they opted for a scrum after a penalty and Juan Fernandez Lobbe controlled the ball at the back of the pack to score from a strong drive.

Assuming the kicking duties from Hodgson, who had earlier been replaced by Will Cliff, Lee Thomas slotted the conversion.

Young scrum half Cliff soon got in on the act himself, collecting a clever offload from Foden to dart over for his second try for the club.

Foden then got reward for his impressive all-round play when he deservedly got his name on the scoresheet, easily slicing through the defence. Thomas added the extras on both scores.

Sale rounded off the demolition job when Richard Wigglesworth collected his own chip ahead and fed Michael Hills for try number eight.