The game began in heavy rain and a strong wind, and both sides tried to gain territory through a kicking game. When James Stubbs failed to claim a high ball, the home side got their first opportunity and hooker Josh Brown scored from the back of a strong driving maul. Will Hunt added the extras (7-0).

The Lions were wining the kick battle and, having created their own driving lineout opportunity, it was Oliver Taylors turn to profit from the back. Theo Mannion converted from wide to level the score (7-7).

The Lions continued to dominate both possession and territory but a resolute Sale defence stopped a number of good opportunities being converted. It was then the home side who ended the half in front through another Brown try from another catch and drive (12-7).

The weather worsened at the start of the second period and handling was really difficult for both sides. Luckily for the Lions their scrum was starting to dominate and it was from a scrum penalty that Mannion despatched a 35m penalty kick with aplomb to reduce the arrears (12-10).

The Lions defence, against the big Sale pack, was not going to be beaten and they continued to dominate the scrum. Finally Brown was shown a yellow card on 65 minute, following a number of scrum infringements, and it was at this point that the Lions took complete control of the contest. Following a period of pressure, Lions centre Charlie Davies crashed over to take the lead for the first time with 10 minutes remaining. This time Mannion couldn't add the extras (12-15).

Sale got themselves a chance to steal victory with time up, when they kicked to the corner, but the Lions pack managed to hold them out this time and a superb defensive set ended with a holding on penalty when James Stubbs got himself over the ball.

Wild celebrations ensued at Sale once again, reminiscent of the scenes from the last game of last season.

FT 12-15

Head coach Gareth Collins commented: ''It was an old school arm wrestle so I'm delighted that we were able to come away with the win. The conditions were so bad that it was always going to come down to who could win the kick battle and who could make the least errors and I'm really happy with how we applied ourselves today. The lads got the plan spot on. We've had so many games this season where we've played well, and been up on all the stats, but just didn't win the big moments, so it was great to do so today. Sale are a really tough team - big and strong - so to beat them at their ground is a massive achievement for this group. It's also an experience many of them haven't had before so hopefully it'll be a turning point for us.''