SALE’S first visit to South Leicester was a high scoring game but one which ended in a 44-30 defeat and a lack of league points for the visitors.

The early minutes of the match saw the hosts take the lead from a driving maul inside the Sale 22 to put hooker Wesley Cope over for the try with the conversion added by Ricci Aley.

Liam McGovern narrowed the gap with a penalty after the hosts were caught offside, but the Leicester side extended their lead after a fine cross-field kick saw winger Callum Gunn touch down unopposed.

John O’Donnell finished a fine move for Sale and McGovern had no difficulty with the conversion, but once again the home side came back on the attack.

Gunn scored his second try and although the conversion was missed the hosts had a 17-10 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Two McGovern penalties for Sale saw them chip away at the home side’s lead but as half time approached a penalty for the home side made it 16-20 at the break.

Early in the second half, Sale finally went ahead when they stormed up-field and Adam Aigbokhae raced over for a try with McGovern adding the extras.

The game continued to ebb and flow but approaching the hour mark three tries in 10 minutes by South Leicester turned the game round for the hosts.

Dale Agar was driven over from short range for the first, before Chris Gibbs darted over for the second converted by Aley.

Despite “South” losing prop David Peck to a yellow card they still managed to score a sixth try from Tristan Trehan converted by Aley to lead 39-23.

Sale then claimed a third try from Matt Postlethwaite, his first for the club, converted by Mark Lawrence and with time available they sought a bonus point try.

But home prop Rod McNaughton crashed over in the final minute.