SALE slipped three points adrift of Chester after a 21-15 defeat to them at Heywood Road on Saturday.

Liam McGovern put Sale ahead in the opening minutes but Chester came back strongly and scored two quick tries with stand-off Rhys Hayes crossing for a try on 15 minutes and Sean Strudwick touching down three minutes later, both of which were converted by Hayes.

Sale came back quickly from the setback when scrum half Connor Dever side-stepped his way to the try line and McGovern added the extra points.

The gale force conditions did not help either side and it was not until the final minute of the half that the visitors extended their lead to 21-10 with a third try by Callum Bennett, also converted by Hayes.

Both sides worked hard in the second half with Chester seeking their bonus point try and Sale attempting to overcome the Chester lead. In the end neither side achieved their respective targets.

The only score of the half came with 15 minutes remaining following a Sale scrum in midfield when a powerful run from Chris Mayor put John O’Donnell in for a try that at least gave Sale a losing bonus point.