MARK Jennings believes last Friday's superb 18-14 win at Worcester could prove to be a key moment in Sale Sharks' season.

The powerhouse centre, who came on as a second-half replacement, scored a brilliant try 10 minutes from time to help the Sharks secure their first away league victory of the season.

It was a fine achievement, all the more so given that Sharks had been reduced to 14 men following the dismissal of Byron McGuigan midway through the second half.

Coming hard on the heels of the previous week's home win against Northampton, it added to the momentum building around the club.

And Jennings says the manner of the victory was hugely significant.

"We had been on the wrong side of so many close games of late so this was a massive step for us as a team," he told the club's website.

"Worcester had come out on top in their last two games and we knew it was going to be a hard match on their paddock.

"But the boys fronted up massively and it was superb collective performance and a great way to start the Christmas period.

"Especially in that second half, just watching from the bench, the defence was unbelievable.

"We kept them out for such a long time and we had a couple of yellow cards and then lost Byron to a red but everyone really dug deep.

"We've been so close – we were within touching distance at Leicester and several other games and this was one where we thought this was our game to take.

"So to close the win out was just a great feeling for everyone."

The Sharks' tries at Sixways were shared between Jennings and fellow inside centre and recent arrival Rohan Janse van Rensburg, who marked his first start for the club by scoring an excellent first-half touchdown.

Sharks now take a break from Premiership duty over the next fortnight with the focus switching to the European Challenge Cup.