SALE Sharks fell to a disappointing 30-12 defeat in the opening European Rugby Challenge Cup match against Newport Gwent Dragons at Rodney Parade.

The visitors started brightly as Tim Jeffers made a superb 40m break downfield and ran deep into the Dragons half but unfortunately the Sharks knocked on at the base of the ruck and the chance was gone.

Steve Diamond's side suffered a setback after five minutes as on their first attack into the 22, the Dragons opened their account through flanker Oliver Griffiths.

The Sharks fought back straight away and pressed into the Dragons 22, but couldn't find the clinical pass or carry to get them their first score of the game.

After 20minutes, Sale thought they had scored their first try of the game, as Brian Mujati crashed his way over the try-line.

However, referee Alexandre Ruiz decided that the tighthead prop had entered the side of the ruck and was penalised.

After 27 minutes, things went from bad to worse for the Sharks as the Dragons got their second try following their second visit into the Sharks '22'.

Captain Rynard Landman scored from close range for the Dragons, following a TMO referral. Jones got the touchline conversion to make it 12-0.

The Sharks tried to rally back and get the next score of the game, but they weren't putting away their chances, and were knocking the ball on in promising positions.

Dragons got a third try through centre Adam Hughes which made it 17-0 after 35 minutes.

There were no changes at the break, as the rain began to fall down at Rodney Parade.

The Sharks started the second half well, and got their first try of the match through scrum-half James Mitchell.

Fly-half Nick Macleod offloaded to captain Jonathan Mills and set up Mitchell who dived under the posts to reduce the deficit to 10 points after 47 minutes.

The Dragons were awarded a penalty and Dorian Jones converted.

The Sharks had to score from the resulting 5m lineout and they did through Jonathan Mills, as he crashed his way over the try line. Macleod missed the conversion, which left it 20-12 after 54 minutes.

The visitors sensed that the hosts were there for the taking, and pressed once more but good defence from the hosts kept the Sharks out, and Jeffers put an enterprising kick through, but it came to nothing and led to a 22 drop out for the Dragons.

On the hour mark, the home side extended their lead with another Jones penalty to make it 23-12.

The Dragons tried to attack once more, looking for their fourth try of the game, but good defence from the Sharks kept them out.

They got their rewards when substituted Matthew Screech dived over the line to compound Sale's misery.