Sale Sharks return to second place after 24-17 win over Saracens

Sale Sharks 24-17 Saracens, AJ Bell Stadium
Scorecard

Sale Sharks returned back to second place in the ongoing Gallagher Premiership as the defeated Saracens 24-17 in the latest round at AJ Bell Stadium on Wednesday.

Sale Sharks now have 59 points - one more than third placed Bristol Bears while Saracens have suffered their seventh defeat in the tournament. Saracens, who face automatic relegation at the end of the season were without England skipper Owen Farrell following his five-week ban for a red-card incident against Wasps.

Matt Postlethwaite started the proceedings with a third minute try and Robert du Preez kicked the conversion to take Sale Sharks to a seven-point lead. However, Saracens levelled the scores with Rotimi Segun's first try in the fourth minute and a conversion from Manu Vunipola.

Valery Morozov battered his way past the Saracens pack to bring back Sale Sharks into the lead with a 16th minute try and 10 minutes later it was the turn of Simon Hammersley to go over the line. The fullback also kicked both the conversions as Steve Diamond's men went into the break with 21-7 lead.

Saracens had better competitiveness in the second half but stern defence from Sale Sharks kept the visitors away from scoring until the 60th minute when Manu Vunipola slotted a penalty goal.

Robert du Preez's penalty goal in the 76th minute increased Sale's lead to 14 points which proved enough despite Segun's second that came in the closing stage.