SALE got their EDF Energy Cup campaign off on the right foot after they cruised past Newcastle 28-5 at Edgeley Park.

The Guinness Premiership champions had come a cropper against the Falcons in last season's competition opener, comprehensively beaten 34-9 at Kingston Park to effectively end their cup campaign before it had even started.

And although a relatively strong Sharks side were never as convincing as might have been expected, there was never any chance of an upset this time round.

Oriol Ripol struck twice in a four-minute spell either side of the break to ensure it was always comfortable for the hosts before Chris Jones crossed the whitewash late on, the boot of stand-in fly half Daniel Larrechea doing the rest.

Sale had approached the game hoping to kick off their EDF campaign in style against a Newcastle side who had been struggling for form in the Guinness Premiership.

But, even considering the Falcons injury problems in the run up to the Edgeley Park clash, they made a fist of this game from the off.

In the lineout, where they had been absolutely woeful the previous week against London Irish, Newcastle contested every ball and at the breakdown they went even further.

The visitors piled in en masse to ensure possession was retained at every ruck and even turned the ball over on several occasions.

Despite this, Sale managed to keep their opponents at arm's length throughout, mainly thanks to the tactical kicking of Larrechea, and although try-scoring opportunities were limited they capitalised on Newcastle's infringements to keep the scoreboard ticking over.

Larrechea impressively knocked over two penalty attempts from near halfway before a third made it 9-0 by the 25th minute.

Falcons did give the home fans a couple of scares though, particularly when a crossfield kick caught the defence out, only for Anthony Elliot and Jason Oakes to fumble the ball between them before Jason Robinson and Chris Mayor bundled the latter into touch.

And Sharks suffered a major setback six minutes before half time when Lionel Faure was stretchered off with a broken leg - an injury that is set to keep the French prop out for around 10 weeks and leave Sale short of options at looshehead.

But they quickly put that blow behind them and in the eighth minute of time added on at the end of the first half, their breakthrough came.

After winning ball at the lineout both Barry Stewart and Ben Evans had a bite before Sale moved the ball out wide and Robinson's long pass sent in Ripol.

The Spaniard grabbed his second almost immediately after the break, jinking his way through a gap in the cover to put his side firmly in control.

Newcastle had their chances but were hindered by handling errors at crucial times and with the clock running down, the excellent Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe made a break and Pierre Gaona offloaded to Jones who dived over the line.

Matt Thompson added a late try after the Falcons pack had put on a good drive from a lineout but by that time it was job done' for Sharks.

Messenger star man: Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe