Saracens 40 Sale Sharks 19

SARACENS were first on the scoreboard when Alex Goode picked up the ball thirty metres out, stepped a couple of Sharks attempted tackles to touchdown between the sticks. Charlie Hodgson converted and Saracens led 7-0.

On 10 minutes Saracens increased their lead to 10-0 with a Charlie Hodgson penalty.

David Seymour reduced the arrears on 14 minutes when the Sharks pack drove Saracens over their own line. Danny Cipriani converted and both announcements were made by the announcer who seemed to revel in Saracens scoring and was as dull as dishwater when the opposition scored.

Danny Cipriani put in a cheeky drop goal attempt of 16 minutes which went slightly wide of the target.

On 20 minutes Saracens were awarded a penalty for a scrum offence by Sharks and Charlie Hodgson kicked a perfect 45 metre kick 13-7.

Three minutes later J Doyle awarded Saracens another penalty in roughly the same spot as the previous one and again Charlie Hodgson was spot on with his kick 16-7.

Saracens second try was scored Ernst Joubert who finished off a move that was gifted to Saracens after Sharks surrendered the ball 30 metres out. Charlie Hodgson converted and things at the point looked bleak for Sharks 23-7 down.

Sharks started the second half full of intent to improve on their first half display and several moves started by Cusiter and Cipriani gave hope but the home defence held firm.

Steve Diamond soon rang the changes and young Josh Beaumont made a promising break but lacked support. On 53 minutes Tom Brady reduced the arrears with a clever kick ahead that he collected and bravely dived in at the corner. Cipriani hooked his conversion attempt 30-12.

Saracens got their fourth try and secured the bonus point when substitute Richard Barrington powered his way over. Richard Wigglesworth converted 37-12.

With eight minutes JP Doyle awarded Sharks a penalty try after Saracens stopped the rolling maul illegally. Joe Ford converted 37-19. Sharks were now in sight of a losing bonus point.