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Last Updated: Friday, 10 March 2006, 21:54 GMT

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Sale 9-15 Saracens

Glen Jackson scored the winning try for relegation-threatened Saracens

Sale (9) 9
Pens: Courrent 3

Saracens (7) 15
Tries: Johnston, Jackson
Cons: Jackson
Pens: Jackson

Saracens moved away from the Guinness Premiership relegation spot with a hard-earned victory at leaders Sale.

The visitors took the lead through Ben Johnston's try, converted by Glen Jackson, before three Valentin Courrent penalties gave Sale a 9-7 advantage.

Jackson's try 10 minutes after the re-start put Sarries back in front.

And he added a penalty nine minutes later as Saracens ended the 14-match unbeaten home record of Sale, who were missing their international contingent.

Saracens were playing their first game since recruiting former Australia coach Eddie Jones in a consultancy capacity for three months and promptly won their first match in nine attempts.

The Sharks, who failed to score in the second half, have now lost their last two league games but they still lead the Premiership thanks to Wasps' defeat at Worcester.

Saracens went in front in the 16th minute when Johnston ran on to a delayed pass before ripping through some poor tackling on the left wing and diving over in the corner, with Jackson converting.

Sale had to rely on the boot of French fly-half Courrent for their points and he slotted three penalties in the 10 minutes before half-time to edge the hosts into the lead.

Prop Ben Coutts almost barged over from close range for Sale at the start of the second half.

But it was Saracens who scored next as a series of pummelling charges among the forwards created space and Kyran Bracken fed Jackson to score from close range in the right corner.

Jackson extended his side's lead with a penalty in the 58th minute and the subdued Sharks were unable to break down the visitors' stubborn defence for the rest of the match.

Sale boss Philippe Saint-Andre:
"It is very disappointing. Saracens had spirit and having a new coach meant they worked hard.

"But we could have won the game. We needed to be more clinical and more patient.

"We played all the rugby but they had two opportunities and took them. We had opportunities and didn't finish them off."

Saracens boss Mike Ford:
"Eddie Jones being here has helped. There has been a marked improvement and there has been an edge in training.

"There's been an increase in focus and Eddie has helped that along. With someone as influential and as world class as Eddie, people hang on to every word he says.

"He made one or two pointers before, during and after the game so he is going to be fantastic for Saracens."

Sale: Robinson; Mayor, Taylor, Todd, Hanley; Courrent, Martens; Coutts, Bruno, Stewart; Schofield, Day; C Jones, Titterrell, Bonner-Evans.
Replacements: Ripol for Hanley (58), Wigglesworth for Martens (61), Roberts for Coutts (70), Turner for Stewart (49), Fernandez Lobbe for Schofield (60).
Not Used: Newton, Wakley.

Saracens: Bartholomeusz; Scarbrough, Sorrell, Johnston, Vaikona; Jackson, Bracken; Lloyd, Byrne, Visagie; Raiwalui, Ryder; Chesney, Randell, Vyvyan.
Replacements: Harris for Johnston (67), Rauluni for Bracken (69), Yates for Lloyd (40), Cairns for Chesney (56).
Not Used: Broster, Barrell, Bailey.

Sin Bin: Visagie (65).

Att: 9,307

Referee: W Barnes (RFU).

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