Saracens move to top despite 24-18 defeat to Sale Sharks

Sale Sharks 24-18 Saracens,AJ Bell Stadium
Scorecard

Sale Sharks managed to hold off Saracens as they completed a 24-18 victory in their Gallagher Premiership face-off at AJ Bell Stadium on Friday.

Despite, the defeat Saracens have moved to the top of the table with a losing bonus point while Sale Sharks have climbed to fourth after winning their sixth game in the competition.

Billy Vunipola on his comeback from injury straightaway made an impact with the opening try in the game in the 7th minute and Owen Farrell kicked the conversion to make it 0-7.

A 10th minute penalty kick from Robert du Preez got Sale Sharks off the mark but that was cancelled out by Farrell two minutes later. The home side stepped up the gears and dominated the remainder of the first quarter with Sam James crossing over in the 15th minute after receiving a pass from Denny Solomona.

Solomona ensured Sale Sharks seized the lead by the 19th minute as he dived in the corner and a conversion from du Preez made the scoreline 15-10. Farrell reduced the deficit with a 30th minute penalty kick but was shortly sent to sin-bin for a high tackle on Chris Ashton as the teams headed into the break with a 18-13 scoreline followed by another three-pointer from du Preez.

After the third quarter went without a point, Saracens had their second yellow card in the game with Christopher Tolofua sin-binned for off the ball tackle and du Preez with back to back penalties stretched Sale Sharks' lead to 11 points.

As the game was approaching the end time, Nick Tompkins provided some consolation for the defending champions with a late try as Mark McCall's men claimed a losing bonus point.