Sale Sharks edge out Northampton with 18-15 triumph

Sale Sharks 18-15 Northampton Saints, AJ Bell Stadium
Scorecard

Faf de Klerk contributed with 10 points as Sale Sharks came from behind to edge out Northampton Saints 18-15 in their Aviva Premiership face-off at AJ Bell Stadium on Saturday.

Playing their first game since boss Steve Diamond was handed a six-week stadium ban, Sale Sharks got off the mark with a sixth minute penalty.

Capitalising on a kick from James O'Connor, Cobus Reinach charged past the post to score the opening try and soon Teimana Harrison also went past the line to make it 3-12.

Northampton Saints suffered a major setback when Michael Paterson and Jamal Ford-Robinson were sin-binned in the 24th and 33rd minutes respectively that saw de Klerk score a converted try to bring down the gap to just two points at half time.

Sale Sharks further extended the momentum in the second half when Ben Curry crashed past the line though Marland Yarde was denied a try following an obstruction in the build up.

Harry Mallinder kicked his first penalty in the 54th minute to help Northampton Saints level the scores but with 18 minutes to go Northampton had their third sin-bin of the game with Ben Foden was charged with a deliberate knock-on and Will Cliff kicked a penalty to help Sale Sharks complete a three point victory.

This is Sale Sharks' third win of the season but they continue to remain at the 10th position while Northampton Saints are at seventh.

For your latest betting news and deals please visit Betfred.