SALE overwhelmed Westoe 61-14 despite going behind to an early score at Heywood Road.

The South Shields visitors had points on the board in the fourth minute when Sale were slow to react to a kick downfield and visiting captain James Clark won the race to touch down for the try converted by Matthew Mellish.

Despite the setback Sale then dominated matters for almost the rest of the game with tries from Jonathan Keep, Tom Davenport and Chris Mayor in the first quarter of the match all of which were converted by Sale captain Liam McGovern.

Sale gained the bonus point try from Ciaran Connolly and with McGovern spot on with the conversion they led 28-7.

The second half saw Sale continue to dominate with a superb 50-metre run from Adam Aigbokhae six minutes into the half and two minutes later Scott Briggs also finished off a fine move with Sale’s sixth try, both of which were converted by McGovern.

Westoe managed a second score on 55 minutes when Gary Andrews scored in the corner and Mellish added a fine conversion. But that was only a temporary respite for the visitors as in the space of five minutes Mayor added his second try, and Matthew Neary secured his first for the 1st XV.

The scoring was completed when Sam Stelmaszek darted over from a pass by Aigbokhae and McGovern kicked his eighth conversion to keep Sale in close contact with leaders Sandal and second-placed Firwood Waterloo, on both of whom they have a game in hand.