Sale Sharks 20-15 Northampton Saints - Sharks get Gallagher Premiership Rugby season off to winning start

Sale Sharks got off to a winning start in the new Gallagher Premiership Rugby season after holding on to beat Northampton Saints 20-15, live on TNT Sports.

The visitors scored an exciting early try through Tommy Freeman who dived over in the corner. However, they quickly saw their lead overhauled by two equally excellent Sale scores.

First, a beauty of a pass from Rob du Preez found Tom Roebuck, and the England U20 winger somehow touched down in the corner.

Five minutes later, Tom O'Flaherty found the opposite corner to put Sale into the lead.

After a sparkling opening 20 minutes, the match settled more into an arm-wrestle, but Northampton retained their commitment to attacking rugby. Unfortunately for Saints, they found themselves hampered in equal parts by resolute Sale defending and their own handling deficiencies.

A Fin Smith penalty reduced the arrears before the break, but Sale remained in control and Ethan Caine scored just before half-time to make it 20-10.

The second half saw a succession of Saints chances squandered by handling errors and forward passes, while Sale also struggled to find the fluency they had shown in the opening period.

Australian winger James Ramm raced 70 metres to score with 10 minutes remaining, sparking hopes of a comeback victory for Northampton.

In the final minutes, Saints were given a penalty and kicked into the Sale 10.

The home side were in a desperate situation but defended superbly. Northampton attacked ceaselessly, but the home side's defence couldn't be broken.

Even Du Preez's yellow card wasn't enough to swing the match, and Sale held on for a 20-15 win.

While they lost, never an ideal opening to a season, Northampton look to be largely in good shape after the opening match of the season. Facing the excellent defence of Sale, the visitors were able to create plenty of chances and also showed some real steel of their own. Only sloppy handling really cost them, and that will surely come together as the season goes on.

The South African fly-half was at the heart of the brave, attacking rugby that Sale showed in the first half and also led from the front in defence. He led his side to a narrow, but important debut victory of the season.

12' TRY NORTHAMPTON! A quick tap from a penalty sees the Saints break through the first line of Sale's defence before Tommy Freeman touches down acrobatically in the corner.

15' TRY SALE! The try is awarded and Sale reply instantly through Roebuck. Rob du Preez hits the conversion from the sideline and that leaves us square at 7-7.

21' TRY SALE! The try is awarded and Sale reply instantly through Roebuck. Rob du Preez hits the conversion from the sideline and that leaves us square at 7-7.

24' DU PREEZ LIMPS OFF - Cobus Wiese comes on as Jean-Luc du Preez goes off with an apparent knee issue.

27' PENALTY NORTHAMPTON - Smith converts this time around and brings Saints within two points of Sale.

36' PENALTY SALE! - Sale's lead edges back to five points via the boot of Du Preez.

38' TRY SALE! The Sharks roll over from a lineout and increase their lead to 20-10. A fracas breaks out between the two forward packs after the try is awarded.

69' TRY NORTHAMPTON! James Ramm races 70 metres after Alex Coles' clever pass allows Saints to expose a two-on-one.

80' YELLOW CARD - Du Preez is sin-binned for repeated infringements as his team desperately defend their narrow lead.

Northampton: The Saints had eight handling errors to Sale's one.

Sale: The Sharks have won each of their last four season openers.

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