Sale overcome Newcastle threat to secure Champions Cup spot

Newcastle Falcons 15-21 Sale Sharks, Kingston Park
Scorecard

Joe Ford kicked two crucial penalties in the second-half to help Sale Sharks defeat Newcastle Falcons 21-15 at Kingston Park on Saturday.

The win has helped Sale secure a sixth place finish in the Aviva Premiership standings this season to grab a European Champions Cup spot next season.

Flanker David Seymour (9) and centre Sam James (23) scored the two tries for the Sharks as fly-half Danny Cipriani successfully kicked five points which included a conversion and a penalty.

Newcastle skipper and number-8 Nili Latu gave a valiant lone fight by scoring a hat-trick of tries. His 47th minute try balanced the scoreline 15-15.

Joe Ford, who came in as a replacement for full-back Mike Haley scored two crucial penalties for Sale on 51st and 71st minute to give a decisive six-point lead.

With the final three minutes remaining on the clock, Newcastle had an ultimate opportunity after putting a kickable penalty in corner. However, Sale defence proved more than adequate as they forced a turnover to seal the win.

The result helped Sale climb up to the sixth place ahead of Harlequins who received a 24-62 thrashing by Exeter Chiefs whereas Newcastle Falcons stayed put on their 11th position after garnering just 27 points from the season.