Northampton 43 Sale Sharks 10

SALE Sharks looked good in the opening phases and won a penalty 40 metres out. Cipriani kicked to the corner and set up a lineout 10m from the Saints line. The Sharks attacked right and then left before referee Small awarded a penalty to the home side and Myler kicked for touch.

Saints attacked and Sharks did well to turn the ball over but on the counter Arscott had a kick charged down by Lawes and Saints attacked the line. Sale conceded a penalty which Stephen Myler kicked to put the home side 3-0 ahead.

Sharks hit straight back and had an opportunity wide left but turned the ball over and Dickson cleared the danger.

Sharks put together a series of good phases with Paterson and Beaumont making inroads but the team were penalised for holding on just ten metres away from the Saints line.

Saints went straight upfield and disaster struck for Sharks when Foden found touch and Marc Jones' lineout throw was won by Samu Manoa who crashed over the line. The TMO was consulted and awarded a try which Stephen Myler converted 15-0.

Danny Cipriani put Sharks on the scoreboard with a well struck penalty on 23 minutes 15-3.

On the half hour a Marc Jones' line out throw was won by Saints and a sweeping cross field move finished with George Pisi diving in at the corner. Stephen Myler's touchline conversion was good and Sharks trailed 22-3.

On 53 minutes Nothampton crossed the line with their rolling maul and Samu Manoa scored a try awarded by the TMO. Stephen Myler converted and Saints led 29-3. With the bonus point secured Jim Mallinder brought on several substitutes including Dylan Hartley at hooker.

On 63 minutes Sharks put together their best move of the game started by Michael Paterson who fed Tom Brady and he put Mark Jennings away who touched down under the sticks. Joe Ford who had come on earlier for Danny Cipriani converted 36-10.