Sarries six points clear

Saracens head into the Christmas break with a six-point lead at the top of the Guinness Premiership after scoring a 15-13 victory against Sale.

The win was the home side's ninth in ten matches and although the manner of victory was hardly impressive or inspiring - wet conditions playing their part, particularly in a poor second half - that will surely be a secondary concern to Brendan Venter and his side given the margin they currently enjoy over second-placed London Irish.

The visitors scored the only try of the match after Sisa Koyamaibole went over in a first half the Sharks turned on its head after Sarries had made a predictably strong start.

Thoughts that Sale might score just their second win in 14 visits to Vicarage Road remained alive throughout the second period, but five penalties kicked by Derick Hougaard proved just about sufficient for Saracens.

Intent

They went ahead when Hougaard kicked a fifth minute penalty and their pack showed plenty of intent moments later when, with Schalk Brits at the heart of the move, they rolled a maul up the left flank.

Sarries were gaining plenty of territory early on and although Hougaard missed another penalty attempt five minutes later, their pack powered over in the 15th minute - video evidence albeit unable to prove the ball had been grounded.

Sale were unable to clear their lines but the home side were themselves unable to take advantage of a clear opportunity moments later when, with the ball having been fed from a scrum through Moses Rauluni and Hougaard, Alex Goode sold Sale's defensive line a dummy yards from the posts - but then fumbled the ball.

The full-back was soon replaced after picking up a blood injury and the midway point of the first half saw the Sharks finally trying to gain some initiative of their own.

A chance came when Noah Cato misjudged a high kick but with territory gained, Nick Macleod was tackled on the right flank and Saracens gained the turnover.

The full-back was again involved in the 28th minute in a move inspired by Hodgson's crossfield kick and developed further by Ben Cohen, the ball again being played right across the line before Koyamaibole wriggled over.

Hodgson converted and, with the rain intensifying for a brief period, the number eight immediately wandered offside with Hougaard closing the gap.

By now momentum was firmly with the visitors and they had another half-chance in the 33rd minute when Wigglesworth set up James Gaskell in the left-hand corner - the replacement being hastily bundled into touch.

Reward

Hodgson then gave them further reward for their efforts with a penalty, although Hougaard pulled his side back to within a point just before the break.

With the rain again falling more heavily, Saracens applied immediate pressure at the start of the second half and took the lead once more when Hougaard kicked another penalty in the 47th minute.

They were back inside the Sale 22 five minutes later after a strong run from Chris Wyles, although Hougaard snapped at his subsequent drop goal attempt. The South African also missed a penalty just before the hour but made amends moments later.

Sale then gave themselves the platform from which to mount a comeback when the sprinting Cohen did well to take Hodgson's crossfield kick after 67 minutes.

With one wave of attack having resulted in a knock-on, Sale's attempts to drive for the line ended with the ball in touch. A second scrum then resulted in a penalty, which Hodgson chose to convert.

Two points therefore separated the sides with six minutes to go, however, Sale never again managed to threaten points.