Dragons comfortably beat Sale

Newport Gwent Dragons opened their European Challenge Cup campaign by beating Sale Sharks 30-12 at Rodney Parade.

Ollie Griffiths, Rynard Landman, Adam Hughes and Matthew Screech all scored tries to put Dragons on course for victory with Dorian Jones adding two conversions and teo penalties.

Sale touched down through James Mitchell and Jonathan Mills while Nick MacLeod landed one conversion.

Griffith scored after just five minutes as he sprinted clear from 30 metres out. Landman doubled the lead on 28 minutes and having missed his first kick, Jones converted.

Four minutes before the break, Hughes crossed to put Dragons into a commanding 17-0 lead into half-time.

Sale finally breached Dragons' defence seven minutes into the second half when Mitchell got in under the posts.

Jones then landed a penalty to extend the Welsh side's lead, Phil Price was sent to the sin-bin for hitting the side of a maul, and then Mills scored for the away side.

However, Sale were unable to mount a late comeback, as Jones landed a penalty and with five minutes left, they took the bonus point when Screech went over.